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CONTAINING 

Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, 
Together with Biogtaphies of a i the 

^OYGrriors of the itate, and of the IrGsideiits 

Ol= THe UNITED STKTES. 



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BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING CO. 

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IE greatest of English liistoiiaus, Macaulay, and one of the most brilliant writers of 
the present cen tiny, has said: "The histor^^ of a counl ry is best told in a record of the 
lives of its people." In conformity with this idea the PournArr and Bio(;kai'iiiiai. 
ALBUjr of t[iis county has be^a prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and 
taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can be appreciated l)y but few, oui' 
corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women wlio have, by then- 
enterprise and industry, brouglit the county to rank second to none among those 
comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have tlie story of their life 
struggles. IS'o more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelli- 
gent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the 
imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, connnencing life in poverty, by 
industry and economy liave accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with liiuited 
advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, witli an 
\y^, iiiHuence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It teils of men who 
have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whosenanies have 
f\£^ become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and 
^ records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very 

many, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their wa.v," content 
to have it said of them as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "they have done what 
tiiey could." It tells liow that many in the pride and strength of young manliood left the plow and the 
anvil, the lawyer's oHice and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's 
call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace 
once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not 
be lost upon those who follow after. 

Coming generations will ap|)reciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact 
that It c<mtains so much that would never find its way into pul)lic records, and which would otherwise bo 
inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity ])ossil)l(' 
given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the putdisliers Hatter them- 
selves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In adflition to the biogra])!)- 
ical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given. 

The faces of .some, and l)iographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the 
publishers are not to blame. Not having a pnrper conception of the work, some refused to give the 
information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some member of 
the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such ojjposition the support of the interested 
one would be withhold.. In a few instances men could never be found, tiiough repeated calls were made 
at their residence (.r pl.ace of business. 

December, 1«'.U. i; iiuim \i. I'l r.i.isiiiNci Co. 



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HE Father of our Country was 
bom in Westmorland Co., Va., 
Feb 2 2, 1732. His parents 
weie Augustine and Mary 
(Ball) Washington. The family 
to which he belonged has not 
been satisfactorily traced in 
England. His great-grand- 
father, John Washington, em- 
igrated to Virginia about 1657, 
and became a prosperous 
^ planter. He had tvvo sons, 
Lawrence and John. The 
former married Mildred Warner 
and had three children, John, 
Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
tine, llie father of George, first 
married Jane Butler, who bore 
him four children, tvvo of whom, 
Lawrence and Augustine, reached 

fl) maturity. Of si.x children by his 
i second marriage, (ieorge was the 
eldest, the others being Betty, 
i Samuel, John Augustine, Charles 

and Mildred. 
Auguriline Washington, tlie father of George, died 
ii 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his 
oldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on 
ilie I'atomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
and to George he left the parental residence. George 
received only such education as the neighborhood 
schools afforded, save for a short time after lie left 
school, when he received private instruction in 
mathematics. His sijcllinii v/as rither dffectiv? 



Remarkable stories are told of his great physica 
strength and development at an early age. He war. 
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and 
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair- 
ness and veracity which characterized his whole life. 

When George was 1 4 years old he had a desire to go to 
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him. 
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was 
abandoned. Two years later he was appointed 
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In 
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier 
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved vary 
essential to him. In 175 t, though only ig years of 
age, he was a|)pointed adjutant with the rank of 
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for 
active service against the French and Indians. Soon 
after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother 
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health They 
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence 
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter 
who did not long survive him. On her demise the 
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George. 

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as Lieuten- 
ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia wa? 
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- 
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to 
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this 
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- 
ce|)ted, which others had refused. This was to pro- 
ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North- 
western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed 
was between 500 and 600 miles. Wiiiter was at hai-.d, 
and the journey was to be made wi^lioiit militiuv 
escor'. through a territory occupied I.) Indians. The 



GEOR GE IV A SHING TON. 



irip was a perilous one, and several limes he came near 
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished 
a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment 
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com- 
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was 
then begun against the French and Indians, in which 
Washington took a most imjwrtant part. In the 
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- 
dock's defeat, Washington wes almost the only officer 
of distinctior, who escaped from the calamities of the 
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock 
were disabled early in the action, and Washington 
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter 
to his brother he says: "1 had four bullets through 
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
unhurt, though death was leveliivj my companions 
on every side." An 1 ndian sharpshooter said he was 
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
him. 

After having been nvt years in the military service, 
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
look advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the 
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
10 resign his commission. Soon after he entered the 
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an 
active and important part. January 17, 1759, he 
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy 
widow of John Parke Custis. 

When the British Parliament had closed the port 
■if Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces 
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
It was tlieii, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- 
dclphia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, 
i;eaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of 
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con- 
cord and Lexington had been fought, .\mong the 
first acts of this Congress was the -election of a com- 
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and 
responsible office was conferred upon Washington, 
who was still a member of the Congress. He accepted 
it on June tg, but upon the express condition that he 
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account 
of expenses and expect Congress 1o pay them and 
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to 
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the 
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country 
were so long confided. The war was conducted by 
him under ever)' possible disadvantage, and while his 
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every 
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion 
and matchless skill he gnined liberty for the greatest 
nation of earth. On Dec. 23; 17S3, Washington, in 
a paning address of surpassing beauty, resigned his 



commission as commander-in-chief of the army 10 
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He 
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed 
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all 
connection with public lile. 

In February, 1 7 89, Washington was unanimously 
elected President. In his presidential career he was 
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new 
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part 
of other governments ; trials from want of harmony 
between the difterent sections of our own country; 
trials from the impoverished condition of the country, 
owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the 
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His 
clear judgment could discern the golden mean; and 
while perhaps this alone kept our government from 
sinking at the veiy outset, it left him exposed to 
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and 
very annoying. 

At the expiration of his first term he was unani- 
mously re-elected. At the end of this term many 
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely 
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- 
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
his few remaining yeais free from the annoyances of 
public life. Later in the year, however, his repose 
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France 
At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
take command of the armies. He chose his sub- 
ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- 
ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
home. In accepting the command he made the 
reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations 
his life was suddenly cut off. December 12, he took 
a seveie cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling 
in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated 
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh- 
teenth his body was borne wi'h military honors to its 
final resting jilace, and interred in the family vault at 
Mount Vernon. 

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to 
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
miration. The more we see of the operations of 
our government, and the more deeply we feel the 
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interesi, 
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal- 
ent and character, which have be-^n able to challenge 
the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na- 
tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits 
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will 
be as lasting as the existence of man. 

The person of Washington was unusally tan, erect 
and well jiroportioned. His muscular strength was 
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry' 
He commanded respect without any appearance o* 
haughtiness, and ever serious without beir>g dull. 




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OHM ADAMS, the second 
President and the iirst Vice- 
Piesident of the United States, 
WIS born in Braintree ( now 
Quincy ),Mass., and about ten 
'^ indes from Boston, Oct. ig, 
1735 His great-grandfather, Henry 
^danT-, e nigrated from England 
about 1640, with a family of eight 
sons, and settled at Braintree. The 
parents of John were John and 
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His 
father was a farmer of limited 
means, to which he added the bus- 
iness of shoemaking. He gave his 
eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
tion at Harvard College. John 
graduated in 1755. and at once took charge of the 
sciiool in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a 
'sci.ool of affliction," from which he endeavored to 
gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
study of law. For this purpose he placed liimself 
under the tuition of the o:iIy lawyer in the town. He 
had thought seriously of the clerical profession 
but seems to have been turned from this by what he 
:ermed "the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
jils, cf diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,'' 
of the operations of which he liad been a witness in 
liis native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
ready and fluenc of speech, and having quick percep- 
tive powers. He gradually gained practice, and in 
1764 married Aljigail Smith, u daughter of a minister, 
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
inarriat^e, (i7'''5), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- 
*Jon turned him from l.iw to politics. He took initial 
steps toward holdin^ i town meeting, ;ind the resolu- 



tions he offered on the subject became very populai 
throughout the Provmce, and were adopted word for 
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos- 
ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous 
and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, and 
was chosen a member of the General Couit (the Leg- 
lislature) in 1770. 

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegate.-^ 
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, 
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himsell 
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- 
vocated the movement for independence against t'lV; 
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved 
and carried a resolution in Congress lliat the Colonies 
should assume the duties of self-government. He 
was a prominent member of the committee of ave 
appointed June 11, to prepare a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but 
on Adams devolved the task of battling it tlirough 
Congress in a three days debate. ' 

On the day after the Declaration of Independence 
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with th; 
glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife 
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated 
by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "t'ae 
greatest question was decided that ever was debated 
in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or wil 
be decided among men. A resolution was passed 
without one dissenting colony, ' that these United 
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
pendent states.' The day i.s passed. The fourth o! 
July, 1776, will. be a memorable ejoch in the history 
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary 
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of 
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty 
God. !t ought to be solemnized wiili. i>omp, shows 



24 



JOHN ADAMS. 



games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminaticiis 
from one end of the continent to th'e other, from this 
time forward for ever. You will think me transported 
with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of 
the toil, and blood and treasure, thut it will cost to 
maintain this declaration, and support and defend 
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the 
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is 
worth more than all the means; and that posterity 
will triumph, although you and I may rue, wiiich I 
hope we shall not."' 

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a 
delegate to France and to co-operate with Bemjamin 
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in 
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms q'ld money 
from tlie French Government. This was a severe trial 
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- 
lX)sed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis- 
ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
1779. In September of the same year he was again 
chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- 
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce 
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet 
might be found willing to listen to such proposels. He 
sailed for France in November, from there he went to 
Holland, where he negotiated important loans and 
formed important commercial treaties 

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the e.xcitement, 
toil and an.xiety through which Mr. Adams had passed 
threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con- 
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
w.is advised to go to England to drink the waters of 
B ith. While in England, still drooping anddesixjnd- 
ing, he received dispatches from his own government 
urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to 
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through 
5torm, on sea, on horseback and foot,hemade the trip. 

February 24, 1785^ Congress appointed Mr. Adams 
envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face 
to face the King of England, who had so long re- 
garded him as a traitor. As England did not 
condescend to appoint a minister to the United 
States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom- 
plishing hut little, he sought permission to return to 
.nis own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. 

When Washington was first chosen President, John 
.^dams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at 
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President, .\gain 
at the second election of Washington as President, 
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- 
ington retiretl from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
elected President,though not without much oi)i)osition. 
Serving in this office four vears,he was succeeded by 
Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics. 

fVhile Mr. Adams was Vice President the grea' 



French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, 
and it was upon this point which he was at issue with 
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. 
Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people 
in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their 
power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the 
classof atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it. 
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or- 
iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organ- 
ic' ed, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies 
were with England and Jefferson led the other in 
sympathy with France. 

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more 
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the 
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling 
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just 
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
after death. No one could look upon his venerable 
form, and think of what he had done and suffered, 
and how he had given up all the prime and strength 
of his life to the public good, without the deepest 
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar 
good fortune to witness the complete success of the 
institution which he had been so active in creating and 
supjxirting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled 
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest 
station in the gift of the people. 

The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half 
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
signers of that immortal instrument left upon the 
earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is 
well known, on that day two of these finished their 
earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as 
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning 
of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from 
his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- 
DKPENDEXCE FOREVER." When the day was ushered 
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
he was asked by one of his ;;ttendants if he knew 
what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- 
ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all.'' 
In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and 
glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
" Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re- 
signed his spiiit into the hands of his God. 

The personal appearance and manners of Mr 
Adams were not jiarticularly prepossessing. His face 
as his portrait manifests,was intellectual ard expres 
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and h' 
manners were frequently abrupt and unconrteous 
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, not 
the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked 
the manners and address of Jefferson. 





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THIRD PRESIDENT. 



«7 



»^ mi DMAS JEPPEESDI^, f 






HOMAS JEFFERSON was 
burn April 2, 1743, at Shad- 
"^'^well, Albermarle county; Va. 
Hib parents were Peter and 
Jane ( Randolph) Jefferson, 
tliL t'ormer a native of Wales, 
and the latter born in Lon- 
don. To them were born six 
daughters and two sons, of 
whom Thomas was the elder. 
Wb.en 14 years of age liis 
fatiier died. He received a 
most liberal education, hav- 
ing been kept diligently at school 
from the time he was five years of 
age. In 1760 he entered William 
end Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat 
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obode of fashion 
a.id splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 
years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine 
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet lie 
•.vas earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproacha- 
able in his morals. It is strange, however, under 
sucli influences, that he was not ruined. In the sec- 
ond year of his college conrse, moved by some un- 
explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
previoasly given much time. He often devoted fifteen 
hours a day to haid study, allowing himself for ex- 
ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out 
of the city and back again. He tiuis attained very 
high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- 
phy and the languages. The most difficult l,atin and 
Greek autliors lie read with facility. A more finished 
scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and 



there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a 
more pnreminded, upright, gentlemanly young man. 

Immediately upon leaving college he began the 
st;idy of law. For the short time he continued in the 
piactice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- 
gLiished himself by his energy and accuteness as a 
lawyer. But the times called for greater action. 
The policy of England liad awakened the spirit of 
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged 
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
him into active political life. In 1769 he was choser 
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses In 
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- 
ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow 

Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, th^rr 
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, whicf 
commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and 
beauty. This sjiot Mr. Jefferson selected lor his new 
home; and here he reared a mansion of modest ye' 
elegant architecture, which,' next to Mount Vernon 
became the most distinguished resort in our land. 

In 1775 lie was sent to the Ci lonial Congress 
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a 
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and h,; 
was placed upon a number of important committees, 
and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw- 
ing up of a declaration of independence. Tiiis com- 
mittee consisted cf Thomas Jefferson, John Adams. 
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Roliert R. 
Livingston. Jefferson, as cliairinan, was appointed 
to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested 
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were m;;de 
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed J :ly 
4, 1776 What must have been the feelii^gs of iluil 



z8 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — 
who was charged with 'he preparation of that Dec- 
laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of 
Ameiica, .vas also to publish her to tlie world, free, 
soverign and independent. It is one of the most re- 
markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort 
uf the mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. 

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
Patrick Henry, as Governor of Virginia. At one time 
the British ofiicer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to 
Moniicello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five 
minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never 
ver)' good, was much injured by this excitement, and 
in the summer of 1782 she died. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
Two yeirs later he was appointed Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary to France. Returning to tlie United States 
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
m Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned 
Jan. I, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
dent, and four years later was elected President over 
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 
t8o4 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity. 
and George Clinton, Vice President. 

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
'ion was disturbed by an event which threatened the 
tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the con- 
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
10 the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled 
unbition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a 
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our 
outhwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
•1. new republic. This has been generally supposed 
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been 
generally known what his real plans were, there is no 
doubt that t'ney were of a far more dangerous 
character. 

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined 
10 retire from political life. For a period of nearly 
arty years, he had been continually before the pub- 
,ic, and all tliat time had been employed in offices of 
the greatest trust and responsil)ility. Having thus de- 
voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
declining years required, and ujxin the organization of 
the new administration, in March, 1809, he b'd fare- 
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticelio. 

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole 
families came in their coaches with their horses, — 
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
nurses, — and remained three and even six months. 
Life at Monticelio, for years, resembled that at a 
fashionable watering-place. 

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver- 



sary of the Declaration of American Independence, 
great preparations were made in every pait of ih. 
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, anc 
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnit) 
of tlie occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer 
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- 
tion, to participate in their festivities. But an ill- 
ness, which h;ui been of several weeks duration, and 
had been continually increasing, compelled him to 
decline the invitation. 

On the second of July, the disease under which 
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
state that his medical attendants, entertained nc 
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly 
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the ne.\' 
day, which was Monday, he asked of those around 
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was 
the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish tha 
he might be permitted to breathe the air of the fiftietl- 
anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose 
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land, 
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- 
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble 
life! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- - 
the day v/hich his own name and his own act had 
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and 
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, 
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life. 

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of 
freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark and desper- 
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and 
animated their desponding countrymen; for half a 
century they had labored together for the good of 
the country; and now hand in hand they depart. 
In their lives they had been united in the same great 
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not 
divided. 

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became 
white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore- 
head broad, and his whole courtenance intelligent and 
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as 
well as personal courage ; and ;.:s command of tem- 
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends 
never recollected to have seen him in a passion. 
His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- 
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that 
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- 
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic ; and 
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He 
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is 
discernable the care with which he formed his style 
upon ihe best models of antiquity. 




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FOURTH FRfSIDENT. 




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AMES MADISON, "Father 
of the Constitution,'' and fourth 
r President of the United States, 
was born March i6, 1757, and 
died at his home in Virginia, 
^ June 28, 1836. The name of 
ames Madison is inseparably con- 
nected with most of the important 
events in that heroic period of our 
country' during which the founda- 
tions of this great republic were 
laid. He was the last of the founders 
of the Constitution of the United 
States to 1)6 called to his eternal 
reward. 

The Madison family were among 
the early emigrants to the New World, 
landing upon the shores of the Chesa- 
peake but 15 years after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of 
James Madison was an opulent 
planter, residing upon a very fine es- 
tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co., 
Va. The mansion was situated in 
the midst of scenery highly pictur- 
esque and romantic, on the west side 
of South-west Mountain, at the fool of 
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of 
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest jjersonal and 
political attachment existed between these illustrious 
men, from their early youth until death. 

The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted 
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 
r8 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
Here he applied himself to study with the most im- 




prudent zeal; allowing him!,eir, for months, but three 
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor 
of constitution. He graduated in 1771. with a feeble 
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a 
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning 
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subsf 
(juent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of 
law and a course of e.Ktensive and systematic reading. 
This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
which he lived, and the society with which he asso- 
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work o! 
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that 
his life was not to be long, he diiected especial atten- 
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a nund 
singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with. 
almost unequalled ixjwers of reasoning, he weighed 
all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
until his faith became so established as never to 
be shaken. 

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he 
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to 
frame the constitution of the State. The next year 
('777)1 he ^vas a candidate for the General .\ssembly. 
He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, n.nd 
consequently lost his election ; but those who had 
witnessed the talent; energy and public spirit of the 
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
and he was appointed to the E.veculive Council. 

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were 
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained 
member of the Council ; and their appreciation of hi-. 



32 



JAMES MADISON. 



uitclleciual, social and moral worth, contributed not 
u little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental 
Congress. Here he met the niost illustriois men in 
our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of 
the most conspicuous positions among them. 

For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con- 
gress, one of its most active and influential members. 
In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was 
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. 

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na- 
tional government, with no power to form treaties 
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There 
was not any State more prominent than Virginia in 
the declaration, that an efficient national government 
must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison 
carried a resolution through the General Assembly of 
Virginia, inviting the other States to ajiijoint commis- 
sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss 
this subject. Five States only were reiiresentcd. The 
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up 
Ijy Mr. Madison, urgmg all the States to send their 
delegates to PJiiiadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft 
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place 
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at 
< lie time apix)inted. F, very State but Rhode Island 
■•••as represented. George Washington was chosen 
president of the convention; and tlie present Consti- 
tution of the United States was then and there formed. 
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
and the pen of James Madison. 

The Constitution, adopted by a vote 8r to 79, was 
lo be presented to the several States for acceptance. 
But grave solicitude was felt. Should it i)e rejected 
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent 
States, with but little i»wer at home and little I'espect 
abroad. Mr. Madifon was selected by the conven- 
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United 
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution, 
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and 
went into effect in 1789. 

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the 
avowed leader of the Republican party. While in 
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. Todd, a 
young widow of remarkable power of fascination, 
whom he married. She was in person and character 
i|ueenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied 
so prominent a position in the very peculiar society 
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
Mndison. 

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under 
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. 



British orders in council destioyed our commerce, ajid 
our flag was e.\posed to constant insult. Mr. Madison 
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, resiling 
in his dis[X)sition, war had no charms for him. But ilie 
meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood 
boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought 
to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser. 
A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the 
crcw to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- 
ance he selects any number whom he may please to 
designate as British subjects ; orders them down the 
ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gun- 
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the 
battles of England. This right of search and im- 
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce 
the British cabinet to relinquish. 

On the iSth of June, t8t2, President Madison gave 
his approval to an act of Congress declaring war 
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter 
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country 
in general approved; and IVlr. Madison, on the 4th 
of March, 1813, was re-elected by a large majority, 
and entered u['on his second term of office. This is 
not the place to describe the various adventures of 
this war on the land and on the water. Our infan, 
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- 
pling v.'iih the most formidable power which ever 
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest 
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February, 
1813, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole 
coast of the United States under blockade. 

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me 
ditator. America accepted; England refused. A Brit- 
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks 
of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa- 
peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens- 
burg, u[X)n Washington. 

The straggling little city of Washington was thrown 
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict 
at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the 
metropolis. The whole populaticn fled from the city. 
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White 
House, with her carriage drawn up at the doer tc 
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers 
in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed, 
and he could not go back without danger of being 
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential 
iVlansion, the Cajiitol, and all the public buildings in 
Washington were in flames. 

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on 
Feb. 13, 18 15, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. 

On the 4th of March, 1S17, his second term of 
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau- 
tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re- 
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the 
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
son died July 12, 1849. 




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FIFTH PRESIDENT. 




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\MES MONROE, the fifth 
resident of The United States, 
was born in Westmoreland Co., 
Va., April 28, 1758. His early 
^ life was passed at the place of 
, ,„ , / ' nativity. His ancestors had for 
many years resided in the prov- 
ince in which he was born. When, 
at 17 years of age, in the process 
of completing his education at 
William and Mary College, the Co- 
lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
delphia to deliberate upon the un- 
just and manifold oppressions of 
Great Britian, declared the separa- 
tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly 
probable that he would have been one of the signers 
of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left 
school and enlisted among the patriots. 

He joined the army when everything looked hope- 
less and gloo'.ny. The number of deserters increased 
from day to day. The invading armies came pouring 
in ; and the tories not only favored the cause of the 
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, 
who were sufficiently terrified at the jjrospect of con- 
tending with an enemy whom they had been taught 
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
difficulty and danger, the United States owe their 
political emancipation. The young cadet joined the 
ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country, 
with a firm determination to live or die with her strife 



for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in ihe mel- 
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and Whit-: 
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it flee' 
before its foes through New Jersey. In four niunlhi 
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots 
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of 
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- 
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left 
shoulder. 

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was- ]jro- 
moted a captain of infantry; and, Iiaving recovered 
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an 
officer in the staff of Lord Steriing. During the cam • 
paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy 
wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued 
aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his 
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect w 
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed 
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon 
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable 
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, 
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; 
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun 
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 

In 1782, he was elected from King George county, 
a member of the I/Cglislalure of Virginia, and by tha' 
body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive 
Council. He was thus honored with the confidei-ce 
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age; and having 
at this early period displayed some of that ability 
and aptitude for legislation, which were afterwards 
employed with unremitting energy for the public good, 



36 



JAMES MONROE. 



lie was in the succeeding year chosen a member of 
ihe Congress of the United States. 

DeeplyasMr. Monroe felt the imperfections of the old 
Confederacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution, 
ihinking, with many others of *he Republican party, 
Uiat it gave too much power to the Central Government, 
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm 
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition 
secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member 
of the United States Senate; which office he held for 
four years. Every month the line of distinction be- 
tween the two great parties which divided the nation, 
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
distinct. The two prominent iaeas which now sep- 
arated them were, that the Republican party was in 
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a 
strict construction of the Constitution as to give the 
(Central Government as little power, and the State 
Governments as much power, as the Constitution would 
warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England, 
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
stitution, which would give as much power to the 
Central Government as that document could possibly 
authorize. 

The leading Federalists and Republicans were 
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the 
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more 
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and 
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In 
building up this majestic nation, which is destined 
to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- 
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the 
light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- 
nounced as almost a demon. 

Washington was then President. England had es- 
poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- 
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn 
i.ito the conflict. We were feeble and far away. 
AVashington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
tween these contending powers. France had helped 
r.s in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms 
of Europe were now comlnnedto prevent the French 
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
thai; that which we had endured Col. Monroe, more 
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres- 
ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
magnanimity. 

Washington, who could appreciate such a character, 
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister 
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
.Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention 
in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations. 



Shortly after his return to this countrv, Mr. Mor,- 
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the 
office for three yeais. He was again sent to France to 
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtainirig 
the vast territory then known as the Province of 
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- 
tained from Spain. Tneir united efforts were sue 
cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen 
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and 
district of Louisiana were added to the United States. 
This was probably the largest transfer of real estate 
which was ever made in all the history of the world. 

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- 
tain from that country some recognition of our 
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
odious impressments of our seamen. But Eng- 
land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- 
land on the same mission, but could receive no 
redress. He returned to his home and was again 
chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned 
to accept the position of Secretary of State under 
Madison. While in this office war with England was 
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during 
these trying times, the duties of tlie \\'ar Departmen: 
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- 
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient 
business man in his cabinet. Upon the return of 
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- 
tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex- 
piration of Mr. Madison's adniinstration. At the elec 
tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had 
been chosen President with but little opposition, and 
upon March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four year; 
later he was elected for a second term. 

Aimong the important measures of his Presidenc/ 
were the cession of Florida to the LTnited States; the 
Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.' 

This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe 
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that 
time the United States had recognized the independ- 
ence of the South American states, and did not vish 
to have Eurojiean powers longer attempting to sub- 
due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine 
is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt 
on the part of European powers to extend their sys- 
tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous 
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not 
view any interposition for the purpose of opisressing 
or controlling American governments or provinces in 
any other light than as a manifestation by European 
]50wers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United 
States." This doctrine immediately affected the course 
of foreign governments, and has become the approved 
sentiment of the United States. 

At the end of his second term Mr Monroe retired 
to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830, 
when he went to New York to live with his son-in- 
law. In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 1831 




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OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the 
ixih President of the United 
'Mates, was born in the rural 
home of his honored father, 
lohn Adams, in Qnuicy, Mass., 
on the I ith cf July, 1767. His 
mother, a woman of exalted 
north, watciied over his childhood 
durmg the almost constant ab- 
sence of liis father. When but 
ei^ht years of age, he stood with 
his mother on an eminence, listen- 
nig to the booming of the great bat- 
tle on Bankets Hill, and gazing on 
upon the smoke and flames billow- 
ing up from the conflagration of 
Charlestown. 

When but eleven years old he 
took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
' to sail with his fattier for Europe, 

through a fleet oi hostile Britisli cruisers. The bright, 
animated boy spent a year and a half in Palis, where 
his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as 
minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted 
the notice of these distinguislied men, and he received 
from them flattering marks of attention. 

Mr. John Adams had scarcely leturned to this 
con. -try, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. ,\gain 
j'of.ii Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he 
applied himself with great diligence, for si.K months, 
to :,Uidy; then accompained his father to Holland, 
v.'here he entered, first a school in .Amsterdam, then 
the University at Leyden. About a year from this 
time, in 1781, when the manly boy was but fourteen 
yea'3 of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- 
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary. 

Tn this school of incessant labor and of enobling 
culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned 
to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the 
winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed 
nis studies, under a pri"ate tutor, at Hague. Thence, 



in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father l, 
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintanc> 
with the most distinguished men on the Con'inci.t 
examining arcnitectural remains, galleries of paintings 
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he agaii. 
became associated with the most illustrious men ol 
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal 
themes which can engross the human mind. Afte' 
a short visit to England he returned to Paris, ana 
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785, 
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young 
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world, 
and who was familiar wiih the etiipielte of courts, a 
residence with his father in London, under such ci"- 
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive 
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre- 
ferred to return to America to complete his education 
in an .American college. He wished then to study 
law, that with an honorable profession, he might b^ 
able to obtain an independent support. 

Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty 
he studied law for thtee years. In June, 1794, be- 
ing then but tv/enty-seven years of age, he was ap- 
jiointed by Washington, resident minister at the 
Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reacheo 
London in October, where he was immediately admit- 
ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney 
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with 
Gieat Britian. After thus sjiending a fortnight i. 
London, he proceeded to the Hague. 

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portuga' a.- 
minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal 
upon arriving in London, he met with despatches 
directing him to the court of Beilin, but requesting; 
him to remain in London until he should receive his 
instructions. While waiting he was niairied to ar 
■American lady to whom he had been previously en- 
gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughtt' 
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul In londor. ■ 
a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom- 
plishment which eminently fitted her to move In X\A 
elevated sphere for which she w?« ("^--Vvced- 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; 
where he remained until July, 1799, when, havingful- 
fiUed all the purposes of his mission, he solicited his 
recall. 

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
I he Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then 
was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his 
ability and his experience, placed him immediately 
among the most prominent and influential members 
of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern- 
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
sulting our flag. There was no man in America more 
f.uiiiliar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
these points, and no one more resolved to present 
a firm resistance. 

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- 
idential chair, and he immediately nominated John 
Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- 
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
at Boston, in August, 1809. 

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- 
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the 
European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to 
tlie climate and astronomical observations; while he 
Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a 
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
All through life the Bible constituted an important 
part of his studies. It was his rule to read five 
chapters every day. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the 
Presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr. 
\dams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he 
s.iiled in June, i8ig, forthe United States. On the 
1 8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his 
home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon- 
loe's administration, Mr, Adams continued Secretary 
of State. 

Some time before ;he close of Mr. Monroe's second 
term of office, new candidates began to be presented 
foi the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought 
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and 
sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- 
ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; 
William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirty- 
seven. As there was no choice by the people, the 
question went to the House of Representatives. Mr. 
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and 
he was elected. 

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
■ombined in a venomous and persistent assault upon 
Vlr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in 
>s»e past history of our country than the abuse which 



was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this 
liigh-niinded, upright, patriotic man. There never was 
an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- 
try, than that of John Quincy Adams ; and never, per 
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu 
lously and outrageously assailed. 

Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- 
stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising 
early, and taking much exercise. When at his home in 
Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast, 
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said 
that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his 
own fire and applying himself to work in his library 
often long before dawn. 

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired 
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew 
j Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi- 
dent. The slavery question now began to assume 
}X3rlentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to 
Quincy and to his studies, v.hich he pursued with un- 
abated zeal. But he was not long jjermitted to re- 
main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was 
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen 
years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- 
sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to 
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of 
"the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in 
the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually 
the first in his place in the morning, and the last to 
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. 'I he 
battle which Mr. .A.dams fought, almost singly, against 
the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime 
in Its moral daring and heroism. For persisting in 
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he 
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury 
with expulsion from the House, with assassination , 
but no threats could intimidate him, and his final 
triumph was complete. 

It has been said of President Adams, that when his 
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of 
fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little 
child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before 
he slept, the prayer which his mother taught him in 
his infant years. 

On the 2istof February, 184S, he rose on tlie lloor 
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the 
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paraly- 
sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. 
For a time be was senseless, as he was conveyed to 
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and 
said " This is Ihe end of earth .-"then after a moment's 
pause he added, '' I am eDnfeiif." These were the 
last words of the grand " Old Man Eloquent." 





c=^-0^/'^^2^^^^ 




^ 



SEVENTH PRESIDENT. 



il 














VDREVV JACKSON, the 
\enth President of the 
' Uiu ed States, was born in 
\\ ixhiw settlenient, N. (;., 
Mareli 15, 1767, a few days 
after his father's death. His 
parents were poor e:nigrants 
from Ireland, and took up 
their abode in Waxhaw set- 
tlement, where they lived in 
deepest poverty. 
Andrew, or Andy, as he was 
universally called, grew up a very 
roagh, rude, turbulent boy. His 
features were coarse, his form un- 
gainly; and there was but veiy 
little in his character, made visible, which was at- 
l.aiSive. 

When only thirteen years old he joined the volun- 
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
[781, he and his brother Robert were captured and 
imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer 
ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am 
a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of 
the dauntless boy. 

The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate 
Dlow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. 
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
ful gashes, — one on the hand and the other u[X)n the 
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which cjuite 
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused 
his death. They suffered muchother ill-treatment, and 
were finally stricken with the small-ix)x. Their 
mother was successfiil m-. obtaining their exchange. 



and took her sick boys home. After a long iilnjss. 
Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother "^oow 
left him entirely friendless. 

Andrew supported himself in various ways, s i:.liai 
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and 
clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he 
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, 
gave more attention to the wild amusements of the 
times than to his studies. In 1788, he was appointed 
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of 
which Tennessee was then a part. This involved 
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of 
every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew feir, 
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish 
witn the Sharp Knife. 

In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
supposed herself divorced from her former husband. 
Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later, 
to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been 
definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage 
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- 
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr, 
Jackson into disfavor. 

During these years he worked hard at his prof^s 
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, 
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- 
ially disgraceful. 

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee theii 
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, ihc 
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- 
stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven 
counties Andrew Jackson was one of the deiego'es. 
The new State was entitled to but one member in 
the National House of Rei)resentatives. Andrei' Jack- 
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he 
rode to Philedeiphia, where Congress then held its 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



yiSiions,— a distance of about eight liundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Denio- 
ccaiic [)irty. lefferson was his idol. He admired 
Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. 
Jackson took his seat, Gjn. W.ishington, whose 
second term of office was then expi.iiig, delivered his 
last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a 
complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
did not approve of the address, and was one of the 
twelve who vo:ed against it. He was not willing to 
.■^ay that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been 
" wise, firm and patriotic." 

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States j 
Senate in 1797, bntsoon resigned and returned home. 
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Sapreme Court 
of his State, which position he held for si.x years. 

When the war of 1812 with Great Briiian com- 
menced, Madison occui)ied the Presidential chair. 
Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was 
an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who 
would do credit to a commission if one were con- 
ferred u|X)n him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson 
jffeied his services and those of twenty-five h\ii:dred 
volunteers. His offer was acce))ted, and the troops 
were assembled at Nashville. 

As the British were hourly e.vpected to make an at- 
tack r.pyn New Orleans, where Gen Wilkinson was 
in command, he was ordered to descend the river 
with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The 
e.\pedition reached Natchez; and after a delay of sev- 
eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, 
the men were ordered back to their homes. But the 
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire 
devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
golden opinions; and he became the most popular 
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his 
toughness gave him the nickname of "Old Hickory.' 

SoDn after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col. 
Thomas H. Benton,, for a remark that gentleman 
made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in 
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, 
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was 
lingering \\\inx\ a bed of suffering news came that the 
Iidians, who had combined under Tecumseh from 
Florida to the Lakes, to e.xterminate the white set- 
lers, were commilting the most awful ravages. De- 
cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with 
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in 
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- 
tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama. 

The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on 
oneof the bends of the Tallauoosa River, near the cen- 
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother. 
With an army of two thousand men, Gen. Jackson 
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven 
days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or 
Horse-shoe, on tVie 27th of March. 1814. The bend 



of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres o; 
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the ncuiow 
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable bna:,!- 
work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warrors. 
with an ample suplyof arn.s were assembled. 

T!:e fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des 
perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter, ^\■hen 
bleeding and dj ing, they would fight those who e".- 
deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- 
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the 
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads ns 
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- 
rios were killed k few probably, in the night, swam 
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
power of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold 
plunge into the wilderness, with its terriffic slaughter, 
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants 
of the bands caine to the camp, begging for peace. 

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- 
centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the 
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
than (ien. Jackson could have conducted this Indian 
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he 
was appointed major-general. 

Late in .\ugu-,t, with an army uf two thousand 
men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to 
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola,landeil 
a force ui»n the beach, anchored near the little fort, 
and from both -ship and shore commenced a furiov.s 
assault The battle was long and doubtful. At length 
one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. 

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
.\nd the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, 
was in reality a very arduous cami)aign. This won 
for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his 
troops, which immbered about four thousand men. 
won a signal victory over the British army of about 
nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the 
loss of the British was two thousand si.\ hundred. 

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- 
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, 
he was defeated by Mr. .\dams. He was, however, 
successful in the election of r828, and was re-elected 
for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he 
assumed the reins of the government, he met with 
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of 
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has 
perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of 
her death he never recovered. 

His administration was one of the most memorable 
in the annals of our country; applauded by one party, 
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter 
enemies or warmer friends. Kt the expiration of his 
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
he died lune 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. 



i^ 



_/ 




/ 7 ^(L^r/ ^t^/Ju 



EIGHTH PRESIDENT. 



^)f^^^5XGVv«)g@A2j€»^7 



#K)- \MW^\\ YJiXl BUREI]. 



r^^^^l^Sr^r^M^ 







'%j^^«»^V®)g<®V(2)^:^^^ 




ARTIN VAN BUREN, ihe 
eighth President of the 
United States, was born at 
Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 
1782. He died at the same 
place, July 24, 1862. His 
body rests in the cemetery 
at Kinderhook. Above it is 
a plain granite shaft fifteen feet 
high, bearing a simple inscription 
about hall way up on one face. 
The lot is uiifenced, uiibordered 
or unbounded by shrub or flowci. 

There is but little in the life of Martin Van Buren 
of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged 
i 1 n J wild adventures. Thougli his life was stormy in 
political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those 
incidents which give zest to biography. His an- 
cestors, as his name indicate,-, were of Dutch origin, 
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland 
to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, 
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, 
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and exemplary piety. 

-fe was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- 
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the 
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
in his native village, and commenced the study of 
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven 
years of study in a law-office were required of him 
V)efore he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with 
jl lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pur- 
sued his studies with indefatigable industry. After 
spending six yenr>; in an office in ''Ji native village. 



he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted lii^ 
studies for the seventh year. 

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one yeais ot 
age, commenced tlie practice of law in his native vil- 
lage. The great conflict between the Federal and 
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van 
Buren was from the beginning a pplitician. He h".d, 
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the 
many discussions which had been carried on in his 
father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with 
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the 
cause of State Rights; though at that time the Fed- 
eral party held the supremacy both in his town 
and State. 

His success and increasing ruputation led him 
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, tli. 
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years 
constantly gaining strength by contending in tht- 
courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned 
the bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished tor 
beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short 
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump- 
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep ovei 
her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was 
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record 
of those years is barren in items of public interest. 
In 1812, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
the State Senate, and gave his strenuous support to 
Mr. Madison's adniinstration. In 1815, he was ap- 
pointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved 
to Albany, the capital of tiie Slate. 

'iVhile he was acknowledged as one of the most 
p ominent leaders of the Deniocratic party, he had 



MARTIN VAN BUREN. 



the moral courage to avow that true democracy d.d 
not rcciuire th.l ■ universal suffrage wh.ch admits 
,.,evil.- the degraded, the ignorant, to the nght ot 
:.o..,.r -in" the State. In true consistency with his 
democratic principles, he contended that, while the 
, ,„h Lading to the privilege of voung should be open 
lo every man without distinction, no one should be 
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were 
in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue 
.nd some property interests in the welfare of the 

'^Xi82i he was elected a member of the United 
States Senate; and in the same year, he took a sent 
in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
native State. His course in this convention secured 
:he ap-.roval of men of all parties. No one could 
doubt Ihe singleness of his endeavors to promote the 
interests of all classes in the community. In the 
Senate of the United States, he rose at once to 
conspicuous position as an active and useful legislator. 
In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the 
Presidential chair,' Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to 
ne S-nate He had been from the beginning a de- 
'ermined op')3ser of the Administration, adopting the 
'State Rights" view in opposition to what was 
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Govemorot 
the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his 
seat in the Senate. Probably no one m the United 
States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. 
Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing m it 
Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether 
entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- 
garded througnout the United States as one of the 
■nost skillful, sagacious and canning of politicians, 
t was supDOsed that no one knew so well as he how 
o touch the secret spiings of action; how to pull all 
ne wires to put his machinery in motion; and how to 
Dr.'anize a political army whicli would, secredy and 
• te-Uhily accomplish the most gigantic results. By 
'liese powers it is said that he outwitted Mr. Adams, 
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
iew thought then could be accomplished. 

When Andrew Jackson was elected President he 
'.pix.inted Mr. Van Buren Secretary of Stale. This 
position he resigned in 183T, and was immediately 
ipooipted Minister to Eng'and, where he went the 
same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met 
refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned 



home, apparently untroubled; was nommated Vice 
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-e ect:ou 
of President Jackson; and with smiles for all and 
f.owns for none, he look his place at the head of thai 
Senate which hjd refused to confirm his nomir.at.on 
as ambassador. 

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal ol 
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor^ 
ite- and this, probably mure than any other cause 
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu 
tive On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re- 
ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
Jackson as President of the United States He was 
el-^cted by a handsome majority, lo the delight of the 
retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the 
canvass," savs Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr Van 
Puren lo the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred 
upon him the power to appoint a successor. 

His administration was filled with exciting events. 
The insurrection in Canada, which threatened 10 m 
volve this country in war with England, the agnation 
of the slavery question, and finally the great commer- 
cial panic which spread over the country, all were 
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at.- 
tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
and brought the President into such disfavor that he 
failed of reelection. 

With Die exception of being nominated lor the 
Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848 
Mr. Van Buren lived quiedy upon his estate until 

his death. 1 1 1 ;,>: 

He had ever been a prudent man, of huga! hul.ii... 
and living within his income, had now fortunately a 
competence for his declining years. His unblemished 
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned 
patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he 
had occupied in the government of our country, se- 
cured to him not only the homage of his party, but 
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 
4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from 
the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald. 
he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics 
of the country. From this time until his death, on 
the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he 
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman ^^ /<=77'-\;^,f 
culture and of wealth: enjoying in a 'jealtl^V old 
age, probably far more happiness than he had befo:- 
expe ie-ued amid the stormy scenes of his active life 




yCa. M f/(^.nyL.y^' 



-H^^ 



:V/NTH PRESIDl'.NI-. 



S' 



,M 




WMfi^MM ffi^RY m41^il. 



w 



ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
SON, the ninth President of 
llie United States, was born 
It IJeike'.ev, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. 
His latiier, Benjamin Harri- 
son, was in comparatively op- 
ulent circumstances, and was 
one of the most distinguished 
men of his day. He was an 
intimate friend of George 
Washington, w as early elected 
a member of the Continental 
Congress, and was consijicuous 
amo:.g the patriots of Virginia in 
resisting the encroachments of the 
British crown. In the celebrated 
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
rison and John Hancock were 
l)oth candidates for the office of 
s I leaker. 

Mr Harrison was subsequently 
chosen Governor of Virginia, and 
was twice re-elected. His son, 
i William Henry, of course enjoyed 

in childhood all the advantages which wealth and 
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
ing received a thorough comnjon-school education, he 
en'.ered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated 
with honor soor. r.fter the death of his father. He 
'-hen repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under 
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of 
iobert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

.7i)on the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- 
v/ithstanding llie "-emonstTances of his friends, he 
ai)ar.doped his medical studies and entered the army, 
.laving obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi- 





dent Washington. He was then but ig years old. 
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank 
until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose 
death he resigned his commission. He was then ap- 
pointed Secretary of the Nortli-western Territory. Tliis 
Territory .vas then entitled to but one member in 
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill tliat 
position. 

In the spri.ig of 1800 the North-western Territory 
was divided by Congress into two portions. The 
eastern portion, comprising the region r.ow embraced 
in the State of Ohio, was called '' The Territory 
north-west of the t)hio." The western portion, which 
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil 
liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was a|) 
pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
extensive a realm as any sovereign ujxjn the globe. He 
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now 
rapidly increasing white population. The ability and 
fidelity with which he discharged these responsible 
duties may be inferred from tiie fact that he was four 
times appointed to this office — first by John Adams, 
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi- 
dent Madison. 

When he began his adminstration there were but 
three white settlementsin that almost boundless region, 
now crowded with cities and lesounding with all the 
tumult of wealth and traffic. Oneoftliesc settlements 
was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Louisville; one at 
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French 
settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrisoi. 
reigned was filled with manvtribesof liulian.^ Aboi" 



52 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



the year 1806, two extraordinary mer., twin brothers, 
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of 
these was called Teciunseh, or " The Crouching 
Panther;" the other, Olliwacheca, or "The Prophet." 
Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man 
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- 
able perseverance in any enterprise m wliich he might 
engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, 
and had long regarded with dread and with hatred 
the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting- 
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was 
an orator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored 
Indian as the gale tossed the tree -tops beneath which 
ihey dwelt. 

But the Prophet was not merely an orator: he was, 
i 1 tlie superstitious minds of the Indians, invested 
with the Superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a 
niigician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter 
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went 
fiuni tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent 
by the Great Spirit. 

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe- 
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. 
October 28, 18 12, his army began its march. When 
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was 
approacliing them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- 
ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. 

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 
the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- 
tations Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- 
campment, he took every precaution against surprise. 
His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept 
upon their arms. 

The troops threw themselves upon the ground for 
r;St; but every man had his accourtrements on, his 
I Kided musket Ijv his side,and hisbajonet fixed. The 
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in 
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It 
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In 
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- 
ble, and j'tst then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
I he desperation which superstition and passion most 
highly inflamed could give, upon the left fiank of the 
hitle army. The savages had been amply provided 
«itli guns and ammunition by the English. Their 
war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets. 

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
pus yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a 
sjieedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's 
troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them 
until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous 
charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be- 
fore them, and completely routing thp foe. 



Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utmost. The British descending from the Can- 
adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but 
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the 
forest, sear.iiing out every remote farm-house, burn- 
ing, ijluadering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier 
was plunged into a state of consternation which even 
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive, 
Tlie war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the 
forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- 
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made 
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
Under these despairing circumstances. Gov. Harrison 
was appointed by President Madison commander-in- 
chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake 
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. 

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation 
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but 
General Harrison was found equal to the position, 
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re 
sponsil)ilities. 

He won the love of his soldiers by always sharing 
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while 
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a 
valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket 
lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five British officers, 
his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle. 
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted 
before the fire, without bread or salt. 

In i8i6, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of 
the National House of Representatives, to represent 
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an 
active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with 
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested 
the attention of all the members. 

In 1819, Harrison was elected to the Senate ol 
Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors 
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The 
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate. 

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency against 
Van Buren, but he was defeated. .\t the close of 
Mr. Van Bureii's term, he was re-nominated by his 
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated 
by the Whigs, with John Tyler forthe Vice Presidency. 
The contest was very animated. Gen. Jackson gave 
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but 
his triumph was signal. 

Tlie cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster 
at its head as Secretary of State, ivas one of the most 
brilliant with which any President had ever been 
surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- 
istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country 
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
joyous prospects. Gen. Harrison was seized by a 
pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
ness, died on the 4tli of April ; just one month after 
his inauguration as President of the United States. 





'"VTL 




TENTH FRRSIDEiVr. 



55 





OHN TYLER, the tenth 
I'residentof the United States. 
He was born in Charles-city 
Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He 
was the favored child of af- 
fluence and high social po- 
sition. At the early age of 
twelve, John entered William 
and Mary College and grad- 
uated with much honor when 
but seventeen years old. After 
graduating, he devoted him- 
self with great assiduity to the 
study of law, partly with his 
father and partly with Edmund 
Randolph, one of the most distin- 
guished lawyers of Virginia. 

At nineteen years of age, ne 
commenced the practice of law. 
His success was rapid and aston- 
ishing. It is said that three 
months had not elapsed ere there 
was scarcely a case on the dock- 
et of the court in which he was 
:. jt retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he 
was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State 
Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he 
was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearl.y the 
unanimous vote or his county. 

When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 
ably with the Democratic party, opposing a national 
bank, internal improvements by the General ^^^oveni- 



ment, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict con- 
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful 
vigilance over Stale rights. His labors in Congress 
were so arduous that before the close of his second 
term hi fo.ind it necessary to resign and retire to his 
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, 
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the 
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful 
in promoting public works of great utility. With a 
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
by a very large majority of votes. Governor of his 
native State. His adininistration was signally a suc- 
cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election. 

John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the 
United States. A portion of the Democratic party 
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
and brought forward John Tyler as his op|)onent, 
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient 
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of 
Roanoke. Mr. T\ler was the victor. 

\\\ accordance with his professions, upon taking his 
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- 
tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and 
voted against the bank as unconstitutional; he stren- 
uously opposed all restrictions upon slaveiy, resist- 
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- 
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. 
Jackson, by his opposition to tlie nullifiers, had 
abandoned the piinciples of the Democratic party. 
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record 
in perfect accordance with the principles which he 
had always avowed. 

Returning to Virginia, he rosumed the practice of 
his profession. There was a :pl:t ii the Deir.ocrntij^ 



56 



JOHN TYLER. 



/arty. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- 
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was 
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
of law, and devoted himself to the cultuie of his plan- 
tation. Soon after this he rcmo\ed to Williamsburg, 
for the better education of his children ; and he again 
took, his seat in the Legir^lature of Virginia. 

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
'839. The maiority of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of 
the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
ident. It was well known that he vvas not in sympa- 
thy with the Whig party in the NoUh : but the Vice 
President has but very little power in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
Democratic Vice President were chosen. 

In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
dent of the United States. In one short month from 
that time, President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler 
thus .; and himself, to his own surprise and that of 
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential 
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our 
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our 
country that such an event had occured.' Mr. Tyler 
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the 
une.vpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
.'..rril v.-as inaugurated to the high and responsible 
office. He was placed in a position of exceeding 
delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been 
opposed to the main principles of the party which had 
brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
Fistent, honcTt man, with an unblemished record. 
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig caljinet. Should 
he retain them, and thus suiround himself with coun- 
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, 
on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
which had elected him and select a cabinet in har- 
n.ony with himself, and which would oppose all those 
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- 
lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
vited the cabinet which President Harrison had 
selected to retain their seats. He reccomm:nded a 
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
bless us. 

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the 
incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. 
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with 
his veto. He suagested. however, that he <vould 



approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. 
It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
Icis said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. 
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now exultingly received the Presi- 
dent into their arms. The party which elected him 
denounced him bitterly. All the members of his 
cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs 
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
meeting and issued an address to the people of the 
United States, proclaiming that all political alliance 
between the Whigs and President Tyler were at 
an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
appointed a new cabmet of distinguished Whigs and 
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, 
forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus 
the four years of Mr. 'I'yler's unfortunate administra- 
tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The 
land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs 
and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more, 
however- he brought himself into sympathy with his 
old friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his term, 
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. 
Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
harassments of office, to the regret of neither party, and 
probably to his own unsjieakable relief. His first wife, 
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; 
and in June, 1844, President Tyler was again married, 
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of 
many personal and intellectual accomplishments. 

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- 
est, Charles -city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in 
his manners, richly furnished with information from 
books and experience in the world, and possessing 
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was 
the scene of unusual attractions. With sufficient 
means for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he 
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few 
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the 
storms of civil war which his own principles and 
policy had helped to introduce. 

When the great Rebelhon rose, which the State- 
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. CaU 
houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his 
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- 
erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress; 
and while engaged in active measures to deslroy, by 
force of arms, fhe Government over which he had 
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died. 




^x 



ELEVENTH PRESIDENT. 



59 




'^mr&§^^^&^:^'^ 




AMES K. POLK, the eleventh 

:i^|,I'resident of the United State?, 

was born in Mecklenburg Co., 

N. C, Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 

^ ents were Samuel and Jane 

/ (Knox) Polk, the former a son 

T^ of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 

at the above place, as one of the 

t first pioneers, in 1735. 

In the year 1006, with his wife 
and children, ar.d soon after fol- 
lowed by most of the members of 
the Polk farnly, Samuel Polk emi- 
grated some two or three hundred 
miles farther west, to the rich valley 
of the Duck River. Here in the 
midst of the wilderness, in a region 
which was subsequently called Mau- 
ry Co., they reared their log huts, 
and established their homes. In tlie 
hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 

fderness, James K. Polk spent the 
early years of his childhood and 
youth. His father, adding the pur- 
suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, 
gradually increased in wealth until 
he became one of the leading men of the region. His 
mother was a superior woman, of strong common 
sense and earnest piety. 

Very early in life, James developed a taste for 
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain 
a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
iiim methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty 
prii.ciples cf morality. His health was frail ; and his 
father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a 



sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the 
counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits. 

This was to James a bitter disappointment. He 
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his 
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made 
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon 
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With 
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half 
years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore 
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
service. 

He graduated in 1818, with the highest honors, be« 
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in 
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
three years of age. Mr. Polk's liealth was at thip 
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he 
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of 
relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the 
office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk 
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who 
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few 
miles from Nashville. They had ])rol)ably beer 
slightly acquainted before. 

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican 
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same poliii- 
cal faith. He was a popular public speaker, and w::s 
constantly called u])on to address the meetings of his 
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such tlir.i 
he was jxjpulaily called the Napoleon of the stun. p. 
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial ai d 



So 



JAMES K. POLK. 



Murterus in his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
nature in the joj s and griefs of others which ever gave 
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected 
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States. 

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
to his Constituents may be inferred from the fact, that 
for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
tinuec* in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair 
of Tf^nnessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was 
always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever 
he spoke it was always to the point, and without any 
ambitious rhetorical display. 

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
Speaker of the House. Strong passions were roused, 
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- 
formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of 
March, 1839. 

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo- 
ber, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, 
his term of office expired, and he was again the can- 
didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur- 
ated President of the United States. The verdict of 
the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted 
its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the 
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
ndture to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
y\ of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to 
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas 
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, 
Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and 
left the country, declaring the act of the annexation 
to be an act hostile to Mexico. 

In his first message. President Polk urged that 
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- 
ceived into the Union on the same footing with the 
other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent 



with an army into Texas to hold the country. He vas 
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the 
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly 
two hundred miles further wesl, to the Rio Grande, 
where he erected batteries which commanded the 
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated 01: 
the western banks. 

The anticipated collision soon took place, and wa: 
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The 
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first 
called one of " observation," then of "occupation,' 
then of " invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The 
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement 
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. 
It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration 
that the war was brought on. 

'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was 
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands 
We now consented to peace u[X)n the condition that 
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, 
all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal- 
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of 
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This 
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the 
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were 
some Americans who thought it all right : there were 
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution 
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and 
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this 
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. 

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from 
office, having served one term. The next day was 
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the 
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. 
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, 
and his health was good^ With an ample fortune, 
•a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties 
of tlie dearest nature, it seemed as though long years 
of trantiuility and happiness were before him. But the 
cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweeping uj) 
the Valley of the Mississijipi. This he contracted, 
and died on the i5tli of June, 1S49, '" t'lc fiflv-fourth 
) ear of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen. 




/ 



CL^a/ic^'c^^y'/y^ 



^\y<yi^- 



TiVELFTH PRESIDENT. 



63 












ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth 
President of the United States, 
-^" was born on the 24th of Nov., 
1784, in Orange Co., Va. His 
father. Colonel Taylor, was 
a Virginian of note, and a dis- 
1^ tinguished patriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When Zachary 
was an infant, his father with his 
wife and two children, emigrated 
to Kentucky, where he settled in 
the pathless wilderness, a few 
miles from Louisville. In this front- 
ier home, away from civilization and 
I all its refinements, young Zachary 
could enjoy but few social and educational advan- 
tages. When six years of age he attended a common 
school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
"•ather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char- 
acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and 
iianifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight 
Uie Lidians who were ravaging the frontiers. There 
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his 
childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation. 
In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed 
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after 
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
from one of the first families of Maryland. 

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
land, in 18 12, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been 
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort 
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above 
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- 
ness by Gen. Harrison.on liis march to Tippecanoe. 
It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, 
".ed by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken 



fifty men, many of 



company of infantry numbering 
whom were sick. 

Early in the autumn of 1812, the Indians, stealthily, 
and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. Their 
approach was first indicated by the murder of two 
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
made every possible preparation to meet the antici- 
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of 
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, 
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that 
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk 
with him. It was evident that their object was merely 
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept 
them at a distance. 

The sun went down ; the savages disappeared, the 
garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before 
midnight the war whoop burst from a thousand lips 
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of 
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick 
and well, sprang to his jjost. Every man knew that 
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap- 
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- 
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can 
conceive the scenes which ensued. Tlie savages suc- 
ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-tiouses- 
Until si.x o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict 
continued. The savages then, baffled at every jwint, 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. 
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to tiie 
rank of major by brevet. 

Until the close of the war, MajorTaylor was placed 
in such situations that he saw but little more of active 
service. He was sent far away into the depths of the 
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which 
empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little 
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
best could. There were no books, no society, no in- 



64 



ZACHARY TAYLOR 



tellectaal stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful 
years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of 
colonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted in 
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor 
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. 

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in 
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in 
employments so obscure, that his name was unknown 
beyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance. 
In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel 
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
iiac' promised they should do. The services rendered 
he'.e secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation, of 
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated 
tc ;he rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon 
after, in May, 1838, vfas appointed to the chief com- 
mand of the United States troops in Florida. 

After two years of such wearisome employment 
amidst the everglades of the peninsula. Gen. Taylor 
obtained, at his own request, a change of command," 
^nd was stationed over the Department of the South- 
west, This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters 
at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family 
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. 
Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were, 
•"lom the world, but faithfully discharging every duty 
imposed upon him. 

In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river 
being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed 
by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico 
was brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the 
Mexicans. The rank of major-general by brevet 
was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name 
v/tiS received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in 
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
forces much larger than he commanded. 

His careless habits of dress and his unaffected 
-iinplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, 
iU^ sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.' 

Tne tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista 
■pread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The 
name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The 
Whig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- 
ful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- 

■ "red, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
iresidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
nouncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de- 
claring that he was not at al! qualified for such an 
riffice. So little interest had he taken i]i politics that, 
for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not 
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen 
who had been long years in the public service found 
'l.eir claims set aside in behalf of one whose name 



had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo 
Aito, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena 
Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- 
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." 

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine 
writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- 
pared such few communications as it was needful 
should be presented to the public. The popularity of 
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- 
umphantly elected over two opposing candidates, — 
Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. 
Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good 
old man found himself in a very uncongenial position, 
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. 
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably 
tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party 
was pushing its claims with tireless energy , expedi- 
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was 
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery 
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found 
the political conflicts in Washington to be far more 
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or 
Indians 

In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor, 
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little 
over a year, took cold, and after a lirief sickness of 
but little over five days, died on the glh of July, 1850. 
His last words were, " I am not afraid to die. I am 
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died 
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- 
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the 
affections of the people ; and the Nation bitterly la- 
mented his death. 

Gen. Scott, who was thoioughly acquainted with 
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful 
description of his character: — " With a good store of 
common sense. Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- 
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse 
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- 
quence. The frontiers and small inilitai) posts had 
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his 
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorai/ce. His sim- 
plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju- 
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the 
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, 
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat 
a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave 
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- 
side pocket, — in any such case, this critic held the 
offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), 
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated jihrase, 
'touch with a pair of tongs.' 

".\ny allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a 
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. Inshore 
few men have ever had a more conifor;;-. "■ '"-^ry,^ 
saving contempt for learnirg of evei^ kind. 




-/"'^^^^ Sc^U^'^^^ru) 



TJIIRTEENTH FRtiSWENT. 



67 





15^ 



■■^^ 



I ^'MILLftRn FILLMnRE.'^ 






ILLARD FILLMORE, thi- 
teentli President of the United 
States, was born at Summer 
Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on 
the yth of January, 1800. His 
■-^ father was a farmer, and ow- 
ing to misfortune, in humble cir- 
tumstances. Of his mother, the 
daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, 
of Pittsfield, Mass., it lias been 
said that she possessed an intellect 
of very high order, united with much 
personal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
position, graceful manners and ex- 
quisite sensibilities. She died in 
1831 ; having lived to see her son a 
young man of distinguished proni- 
is-e, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
dignity which he finally attained. 

In consequence of the secluded hoine and limited 
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad- 
vantages for education in his early years. The com- 
mon schools, which he occasionally attended were 
very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce 
and expensive. There was nothing then in his char- 
acter to indicate the brilliant career upon which he 
was about to enter. He was a plain fanner's boy ; 
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred 
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, 
and had laid the foundations of an upright character. 
When fourteen years of age, his father sent him 
some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of 
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
Near the mil! there was a small villiage, where some 



enterprising man had commenced the collection of a 
village library. This proved an inestimable blessing 
to }oung Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- 
ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied with 
books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate 
and the selections which he made were continually 
more elevating and instructive. He read history, 
biography, oratory , and thus gradually there was en- 
kindled in his heart a desire to be something more 
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- 
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, 
educated man. 

The young clothier had now attained the age of 
nineteen years, and was of fine personal appearance 
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened tha'. 
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample 
pecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter 
Wood, — who was struck with the prepossessing a;;- 
pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint- 
ance, and was so much impressed with his ability an. 1 
attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The 
young man replied, that he had no means of his own, 
r.o friends to help him and that his previous educa- 
tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had 
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to 
take him into his own office, and to loan him such 
money as he needed Most gratefully the generous 
offer was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange delusion about 
a collegiate education. A young man is sup;.osed to 
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- 
lege. But many a boy loiters through university hal' ; 
I «ind then enters a law office, who is by no means as 



r,6 



MILLARD FILLMORE. 



well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- 
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
tense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he was 
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then 
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the 
practice of law. In this .secluded, peaceful region, 
his practice of course was limited, and there was no 
opportunity for a sudden rise in foitune or in fame. 
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station 
she might be called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
gradually attracted attention , and he was invited to 
enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in 
BulTalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, 
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the 
State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
County. Though he had never taken a very active 
[larl in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
and he found himself in a helpless minority in the 
Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parties, 
Ihat his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very 
unusual degri e the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
ihe United States Congress He entered that troubled 
irena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our 
national history. The great conflict respecting the 
national bank and the removal of the deposits, was 
dien raging. 

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep- 
utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
he again became a candidate for Congress; was re- 
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- 
rience as a representative gave hmi stiength and 
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
any man can be but little more than an introduction. 
He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- 
gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every 
measure received his impress. 

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and 
his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847, 
he was elected Comptroller of the State. 



Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- 
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the 
waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old 
soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles 
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be 
proclaimed in tiumpet-tones all over the land. But 
it was necessary to associate wiih him on the same 
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, the 
namesof Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became 
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for 
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was 
signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849, 
Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard 
Filln.ore Vice-President, of the United States. 

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but 
about one year and four months after his inaugura 
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con- 
stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which 
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 

Mr. Fillniore had very serious difficulties to contend 
with, since the opposition had a majority in both 
Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate 
the South; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt 
the inadequacy of all raeasuresof transient conciliation. 
The population of the free States was so rapidly in- 
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
evitable that the power of the Government should 
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The 
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
Fillmcre's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition 
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr Fill- 
more, having served one term, retired. 

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten 
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that 
his sympathies were rather with those who were en- 
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any 
cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other. 
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a rijie 
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874. 



FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT 





J.%'«psp«^«I^X«»l"»l?'^'«'-;--*»i-»>: 



^!' FRANKLIN 









•o'vrxi^sxi^r 




RANKLIN PIERCE, the 
fourteenth President of the 
■ United States, was born in 
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
23, 1804. His father was a 
Revolutionarj' soldier, who, 
with his own strong arm, 
hewed out a 'lome in the 
wilderness. He was a man 
of inflexible integrit\'; of 
strong, though uncultivated 
mind, and an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat. The mother of 
Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
could desire, — an intelligent, pru- 
dent, affectionate, Christian wom- 
an. Franklin was the si.xth of eight children. 

Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- 
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
love of old and young. The boys on the play ground 
loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighliors 
looked upon him with pride and affection. He was 
by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words, 
doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in body, 
in mind, in affections, a finely-developed boy. 

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was 
one of the most popular young men in the college. 
The purity cfhis moral character, the unvarying 
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and 










genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite 
There was something very peculiarly winning in his 
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- 
gree studied : it was the simple outgushing of his 
own magnanimous and loving nature. 

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce 
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge 
Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of 
the State, and a man of great private worth. The 
eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his 
father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant 
political career into which Judge Woodbury was en- 
tering, all tended to entice .Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
nating yet perilous path of political life. With all 
the ardor of his nature he espo\ised the cause of Gen. 
Jackson for the Presidency. He conimenced the 
practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected 
to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here 
he served for four yeais. The last two years he was 
chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote. 

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he wts elected 
a member of Congress. Without taking an active 
part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty 
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom 
he was associatad. 

In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
he was elected to the Senate of the United States; 
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced 
his administration. He was the youngest member i;i 
the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane 
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every 
station with wnich her husband was honoied. Of the 



72 



hRANKLIN FIERCE. 



three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with 
their parents in the grave. 

In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed 
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but 
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous 
professional engagements at home, and the precariuos 
state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the 
same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. 
He took an important part in this war, proving him- 
self a brave and true soldier. 

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- 
nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
very frequently taking an active part in political ques- 
tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery 
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 
measures met cordially with his approval ; and he 
strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious 
sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- 
guished as a "Northern man with Southern principles.'' 
The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- 
quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
safely trust in office to carry out their plans. 

On the 1 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
.-:id in thi.ty-five ballotings no one had obtained a 
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown 
for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
brought forward his name. There were fourteen 
more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly 
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he 
received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all 
other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with 
great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- 
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their 
electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pieice 
«as therefore inaugurated President of the United 
States en the 4th of March, 1853. 



His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
country had ever experienced. The controversy be 
tween slavery and freedom was then approachnig its 
culminating [xsint It became evident that there was 
an "irrepressible conflict " between them, and that 
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half 
free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- 
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate 
the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
year grew inore violent, and threats of the dissolution 
of the Union were borne to the North on every South- 
ern breeze. 

Such was the condition of affairs when President 
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term 
of office. The North had becon:e thoroughly alien- 
ated from him. The anti-slavery senliu.er.t, goaded 
by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing;' all 
the intellectual ability and social worth of President 
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, 
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- 
cated those measures of Government which they ap- 
proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had 
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be 
able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped 
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
tired to his home ih Concord. Of three children, two 
had died, and his only surviving child had been 
kiiied before his eyes by a railroad accident , and his 
wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of 
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The 
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left 
alone in the world, without wife or child. 

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- 
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. 
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he 
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 
that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been 
allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice 
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- 
ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until 
the time of his death, which occurred in October, 
1869. He was one of the most genial and social of 
men, an honored communicant of the Episcopal 
Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen- 
erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al- 
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- 
people were often gladened by his material bounty. 




'zZyyyz^j (S^^u^- 



J'IFTEENTH PRESIDENT. 






i iiia't^i^.^i^iJ^iig^(^t^igs>rjS'(gi'»''^;'<"^'> :' ^''ij^'i'^'^i 







AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
teenth President of the United 
States, was born in a small 
frontier town, at the foot of the 
eastern ridge of the Allegha- 
nies, in Franklin Co., Penn.,on 
the 23d of April, 1791. The place 
where the humlile cabin of his 
father sti'od was called Stoii)' 
Batter. It was a wild and ro- 
mantic spot in a gorge of the moun- 
tains, with towering summits rising 
grandly all around. His father 
was a ■ ative of the north of Ireland; 
a poor man, who had emigrated in 
1783, with little property save his 
own strong arms. Five jears afterwards he married 
Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, 
and, with his young bride, plun;4ed into the wilder- 
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
form his obscure part in the drama of life. In this se- 
cluded home, where James was born, he remained 
for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
advantages. When James was eight yeaisof age, his 
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
his son was placed at school, and commenced a 
course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His 
progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he 
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among 
the first scholars in the institution. His application 
to study was intense, and yet his native powers en- 



abled him to master the most abstruse subjects wi '- 
facility. 

In the year i8og, he . graduated with the liighesi 
honors of his clas:.. He was then eighteen years of 
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of 
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with 
an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately 
commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1812, when lie was 
but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose 
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand 
with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but 
twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before tlie State Senate 01 e cf the 
judges of the State, who was tried upon articles of 
impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally 
admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and 
there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu- 
crative practice. 

In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for 
ten years he remained a member of the Lower House. 
During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally 
tried some important case. In 1831, he retired 
altogether from the toils of his profession, having ac- 
quired an ample fortune. 

Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the Presidenc/, 
appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The 
duties of his mission he performed with ability, which 
gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, in 
1833, he was elected to a seat in the Unhed States 
Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster. 
Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated t!ie meas- 
ures proposed by President Jackson, of m iUng repn- 



7fi 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



sals against France, to enforce the payment of our 

of the Pre„ident in his unprecedented and wholesde 
>.u..v ., froa. office of those who were not Z^. 
iwrtei. of his adimnistration. Upon this question he 
was .ought nno direct collision' with H^enry C a 
He also, with voice and vote, advocated expuiS 
from tlie journal of the Senate the vote of c" , f f 
against Gen. Jackson for removing the depos ts 
Earnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery ite 

ScSo'iof '"":'",' "^' ""T^ "'^ Prohibiti'on of 
•StTte 'm 1 "^'-^^^^y documents by the United 



r.t\ n !'^"''°"« '''I t'»e subject of slavery, he advo 
cated that they should be respectfully received a id 
that the reply should be returned, tlikt Conares^ hnd 
no power to legislate upon the subject. ' Co" 'ess " 

"ve^^nd?'^"^''""'^"^'^'^'^-'-^^^ 

Upo.i Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency Mr 
Buchanan becanre Secretary of State, and T^ch 
ookh.s share of the responsibility in the conduc of 
le Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossinc^ 
the Nueces by the American troops into the d' pu e| 
he'S(> ■' 'r'-"™'f ' '^"' '''''''^ Me.xicans to'c Iss 
ofvv! N^ h'-h°'''^"'"''°^^^^^ ^ declaration 
ot war. No candid man can read with pleasure the 

mrme,n ''" '^""^^ --Government pu^rsu^" tS 

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thorouahlv with 
tne party devoted to the perpetuation and ex en io 
of lavery, and brought all the energies of h^s mind 
to bear ag.mst the Wilmot Proviso He gave his 

cord,, appr.wa!-toihecompromisemeasures^o rSco 
which included the fugiuve-slave law. Mr Pierce' 
upon h,s electio,! to the Presidency, honored Mr' 
Buchanan with the mission to England. 

In the year ,856, a national Democratic conven- 
on ,io,ninated Mr. Buchanan forthe Presidency The 
pol,t,cal conflict was one of the most severe in which 
onrcountryhas ever engaged. K\\ the friend of 
>lavery were on one side; all the advocates of hs re 
str,ct.on and final abolition, on the other Mr F e 
mont thecand.daleof the enemies of slave;v rT 
.eived „4 electoral votes. M,-. Buchanan recdved 
r/4, and was elected. The popular vote stood 

March 1" «"'"^'r"' '/-'^'"^ ^^ Buchaiian. On 
March 4th. ,857. Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated 

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four 
;ears w^re wa.rting to fill up his threescore yearVa, d 
•en. His own fnends, those with whom he Ind been 

s kt"th'e°'H"f '"'""^^l" ^"^ ^^-^ foM-Jalt weT 

mi h\ ° destruction of the Government that they 

>'ght rear upon the ruins of our free instituting ^ 

nat on whose corner-stone should be human s averv 

iiie ^J'^'pfe'c'^'lf • ''^"\"'^'" ^^' hopelessly be: | 
wUdered He could ,rot, with his long-avowed prin- 



c,ples, co,isistently oppose the State-rights party 
hen- assumptions. As P,esident of the United Stlf-s 
bound by his oath faithfully ,0 adm,nister the laws' 
lie could not, w.thoul perjury -of the grossest kind 

i He lie'r ^"^f -'r.S '" -"^l>-- the repub.' 
lie. He therelo.'-e did nothing 

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administr-'iion 
nomniaied Abraham Lmcohi as theirstandardLe: e 
m the next P,es,dential canvass. The pro-slaver 
party declai.d, that if he were elected, a,i<^ L co . 
rol of the Gover,iment were thus taken from their 
uuids they would secede fVom the Unioi" " ak n^ 
V th them, as they re.„-ed, the National Capitol a^ 

l^'s:^^::^^-'-'''' ''--' ^^- ^-^^-^-^^ 

M,-. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slaverv 
parly was such, that he had been willing to offer then 
far more than they had ventured to claim. Alt" 
South had professed to ask of the North was non- 
intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr Bu. 
chanan had bee,i ready to offer them the active co 

tii'eiStu:^;;:'^^"^""-"*'^ ^^^-^^ -<^ -^-d 

As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholder, 

ng that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of 
l.e most pitiable exhibitions of governme, ta ii° 
becihty was exhibited the world has ever seen He 
declared that Congress had no power to enforce , s 
awsin any State which had withdrawn, or wh, 
was attempting to withdraw f,-om the Union Tl ,' 
was not the doctrine of A.idrew Jackson, when, wi,L 
hshand upon his sword-hilt, he exclaimed. "The 
Union must and shall be preserved!" 

South Carolina .seceded in December, i86o- nearl- 
hree months before the inauguration of P esideiu 
Lincoln. M, Buchanan looked on in listless de pa 
The ebel flog was raised ,n Charleston • Fort Sunrpter 
was be.ieged; our forts, navy-yards and nrse.^als 
were seized ; our depots of military stores were p ml 
de.ed ; and our custom-houses and post-ofiices Were 
appropriated by the rebels. 

The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our 
Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked 
on in agon>^ waiting for the slow weeks to glide ^ 
and close the administration, so terrible in its weak" 
ne.ss At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver-" 
sce'pteT''" '" ^''"'^"" L"'"™'" was to receive the 

cerSnlvH?""'''?"'"',' °'- ^^"'^'^"' Buchanan was 
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
perienced. H,s best friends cannot recJll it whh 
pleasure And still more deplorable it is for hi fan e 
.ha. in that dreadful conflic which rolled it bino"'' 
of flame and blood over our whole land, no word came 
from his ipstoind.cale his wish that'our countrv's 
bnniier should tnumph over the flag of the rebe" ioV ' 
H^ d,ed at his Wheatland retrea^ June i, 868 




c^ 



Q^^QC^' 



^^T^^ 



SIXTEENTH FliES/DEdJ-T. 



79 




M§5^m%^^^^ggii^ 



.<^.i^ 



ABRAHAM > ^i>1^<|p < LINCOLN. > | 



'^j<2a:]5 



'i^M^^S^ JP^igrr -^ ^\^t^i l N»'^l-''VLw']jj»Sai i^ir^'vv,>'/l. ^a>-'-..L^j]^_J>.iJgf^i ^. 



l^y? 




BRAHAM LINCOLN, the 
sixteenth President of the 
ed States, was born in 
Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 
1809. About the year 1780, a 
man by the name of Abraliam 
Lincohi left Virginia with his 
'y family and moved into the then 
wilds of Kentucky. Only two jears 
after this emigration, still a young 
man, while working one day in a 
^" field, was stealtliily appro::ched b)' 
an Indian and shot dead. His widow 
was left in extreme poverty with five 
little children, three boys and two 
girls. Thomas, the youngest of the 
boys, was four years of age at his 
father's death. This Thomas was 
the father of Abraham Lincoln, the 
I'resident of the Lniited States 
whose name must henceforth fo-'ever be enrolled 
wiih the niDSt prominent in the annals of our world. 
Of course no record has been kept of the life 
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
the poorest of the poor. His home was a wretched 
li)g-cabin ; his food the coarsest and the meanest. 
Education he had none; he could never either read 
nr write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
himself, he was com[)elled to leave the cabin of his 
starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- 
. ess, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- 
self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a 
.♦iborer in the fields of oiliers. 

When twenty-eight years of age he built a log- 
cabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emi- 
grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their 
second child was Al)raliam Lincoln, the subject of 
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble 
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn 
a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
"All that I am, or hope to be," e.xclaims the grate- 
ful son "I owe to my angel-mother. " 

When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 



cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana Whei = 
two years later his mother died. 

Abraham soon became the scribe of tire uneducated 
comnumity around him. He could not have had a 
better school than this to teach him to put thoughts 
into words. He also became an eager reader. The 
books he could obtain were few ; but these he "ead 
and re-read until they were almost conimittp'^ Ic 
memory. 

Asthe years rolled on, the lot of this lowly faroilj 
was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys ana 
griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sistt"» 
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mai 
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and 
soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr. 
Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim in 1830 
and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. 

/Miraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age. 
With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing 
another log-cabin. Abrahani worked diligently at this 
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their 
small lot of enclosed |)rairie planted with corn, when 
he announced to his father his intention to leave 
home, and to go out into the world and seek his for- 
tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- 
liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value o! 
education and was intensely earnest to improve liis 
mind to the utmost of his power. He saw the ruin 
which ardent spirits were causing, and 1 e< amt 
strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi- 
cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in 
God's word, "Thou shall rot take the name of th« 
Lord thy God in vain ;" and a profane expression ha 
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. Hii 
morals were pure, and b.e was uncontaminated by a 
single vice. 

Young Abraham wotked for a lime as a hired labore- 
among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield, 
where he was employed in 1 uilding a large flat-boat 
In this he took a herd of swine, flo.Tted them dowi. 
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis- 
sissippi to New Orleans. Whatever Abraham Lin- 
coln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to give 
great satisfaction to his emnlovers. In this adveii 



So 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



ture his employers were so well pleased, that upon 
his retura tiiey placed a store and niill under his care. 

In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he 
enhsted and was chosen captain of a company. He 
returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23 
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
Jackson the appointmentof Postmaster of New Salem, 
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he 
received he carried there ready to deliver to those 
lie chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon 
made this his business. In 1834 he again became a 
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected Mr. 
Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He 
waiked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of 
Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and 
began his legal studies. When the Legislature as- 
sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back 
one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. 
H'.s success with the jury was so great that he was 
coon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit. 

In 1854 Ihe great discussion began between Mr. 
Lincoln and Mr, Douglas, on the slavery question. 
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
ill 1856, he took an active part, and at once became 
one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's 
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- 
test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most 
notable part of his history. The issue was on the 
;lavery question, and he took the broad ground of 
.he Declaration of Independence, that all men are 
created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
test, but won a far higher prize. 

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
on the i6th of June, i860. The delegates and 
strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty- 
five thousand. An immense building called "The 
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes 
were thrown. William H Seward, a man whose fame 
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most 
orominent. It was generally supposed he would be 
the nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received 
ihe nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then 
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the 
bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him : 
and as little did he dream that he was to render services 
to his country, which would fi.x upon him the eyes of 
the whole civilized world, and which would give him 
a place in the affections of his countrymen, second 
cnly, if second, to that of Washington. 

Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180 
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good 



and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was 
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this 
high position. In February, 1861, Mr. Lincoln started 
for Washington, stopping in all the large cities on his 
way making speeches. The whole journey was frought 
with much danger. Many of the Southern States had 
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination 
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti- 
more had arranged, upon his arrival to " get up a row," 
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with 
revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled 
the plot. A secret and special train was provided tc 
take him from HarrisL'urg, through Baltimore, at ar 
unexpected hour of the night. The train started ai 
half-past ten ; and to prevent any possible communi- 
cation on the part ol the Secessionists with their Con- 
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train hac 
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln 
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated, 
although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people 

In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr Seward the Department of State, and to other 
prominent opponents before the convention he gave 
imix)rtant [xisitions. 

Daring no other administration have the duties 
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and 
the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to 
the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and 
feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in 
his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he 
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in 
determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his 
trials, bo'h personal and national. Contrary to his 
own estimate of himself. Mr. Lincoln was one of the 
most courageous of men. He went directly into the 
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, 
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
had left Springfield, in 1861, however, plans had been 
made f jr his assassination, and he at last fell a victim 
to one of them. April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant, 
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
was announced that they would Le present. Gen. 
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel- 
ing, witli his characteristic kindliness of heart, that 
it would be a disappointment if he should fail them, 
very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to 
the i:)lay an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth 
entered the box where the President and family were 
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
next morning at seven o'clock. 

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler. 
Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless 
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was 
in tears. His was a life which will fitly become a 
model. His name as the savior of his country ■"■'.'1 
live with that of Washington's, its father; his country- 
men beinc unable to decide which is tl>e sreater. 





'>::^^^^^^:^tJ2>^ 



.S A l^ EN TEEN I J J J'RE:^IDEl\ T. 



-X 




NDREW JOHNSON, seven- 
teenth President of the United 




Siites. The early lifr of 
Vndrew Johnson contains but 
g^ , ,^ the record of poverty, destitu- 

V=;iL_5;r'<3;^y tion and friendlessness. He 
was born December 29, 180S, 
in Raleigh, N. C. His parents, 
belontjing to the clasS ol the 
"poor whites " of the South, ^'ere 
in such circumstances, that they 
cou'd not cnf:.- ..ei. the slight- 
est advantages of education upon 
their child. When Andrew was five 
years of age, his father accidentally 
lost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a 
friend from drowning, ^'^niii leti ye.rs of age, Andrew 
was a ragged boy auour 'he streets, supported by the 
labor of his mother, who obtained her living with 
her own hatids. 

He then, having never attended a school C'ue day, 
and being unable either to read or write, was ap- 
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
was ill the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
ally, and reading to the boys at work tliere. He often 
read from the speeches of distinguished British states- 
men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
than ordinary native ability, became much interested 
in these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and he 
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 

He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and 
with the assistance of some of his fel'ow-woikmen, 
iearned his letters. He then called upon the gentle- 
man to borrow the book of sneeches. The .-^wner, 



pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the booK 
but assisted him in learning to combine the letter:: 
into words. Under such difficulties he pressed on- 
ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hourj 
at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest 
and recreation to devote such time ■vs he could to 
reading. 

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located a' 
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos 
sessed some education. Under her instructions he 
learned to write and cipher. He became prominent 
in the village debating society, and a favorite with 
the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or- 
ganized a working man's party, which elected him 
alderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, whitl'i 
jxisition he held three years. 

He now began to take a lively interest in political 
affairs; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- 
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. 
He became a very active iTiember of the legislature 
gave his adhesicn to the Democratic party, ai'd ;n 
1S40 "stumped the State," advocating Martin "* an 
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition tothos. 
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired mucli 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

In 1841, he was elected State Senator; m 1843, he 
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
elections, held that important post for ten years In 
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, anci 
was re-elected in 1855. In all these resi)on;.:ble |X)?i 
tions, he discharged his duties with di-;!i'ij.;!ii-: lied ab\. 



ANDRKW rOHNSON. 



ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
United States Senator. 

Years before, in 1S45, he had warmly advocated 
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
-,ons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
ind become merged in a population congenial to 
themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- 
promise measures, the two essential features of which 
were, that the white people of the Territories should 
be permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
would enslave the colored people or not, and that 
the ""ree States of the North should return to the 
South persons who attempted to escape from slavery. 

Mr. Johnson was neverashamedof his lowly origin: 
on the contrary, he often took piide in avowing that 
he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir," 
said he on the floor of the Senate. " I do not forget 
that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam 
was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- 
ior was the son of a carpenter." 

In the Charleston- Baltimore convention of i8l-o, ne 
ivas the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
Presidency. In 186 1, when the purpose of the South- 
ern Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
■iiust be held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
:;ost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of 
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he 
established the most stringent military rule. His 
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 

1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 

1865, became President. In a speech two days later 
he said, " The American people must be taught, if 
they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and 
must be finished ; that the Government will not 
always bear with its enemies ; that it is strong not 
only to protect, but to punish. * * The people 
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
administration, the history of which is so well known, 
was in utter irwonsistency with, and the most violent 



opix)sition to. the principles laid down in that speech. 

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress; and he char- 
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly 
defied ii, in everything ix)ssible, to the utmost. In 
the beginniiig of i858, on account of "high crimes 
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- 
ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. 

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
months. A test article of the impeachment was at 
length submitted to the court for its action. It was 
certain that as the court voted upon that article so 
would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
the President guilty. As a two-thirds^vote was n'^ces- 
sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- 
quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against 
him. Tlie change of one vote from the not guilty 
side would have sustained the impeachment. 

The President, for the remainder of his term, was 
but little regarded. He continued, though impotent'; , 
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
alleled since the days of Washington, around the name 
of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. 
The inillet of the assassin introduced him to the 
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was 
there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- 
mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a 
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
politics until 1875. On Jan 26, after an exciting 
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- 
gress, and took his seat in that body, at the specia! 
session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of 
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President 
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was 
apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- 
ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
He rallied occasirnally, but finally passed away at 
2 .\.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, 
with every demonstration of respect. 




^y^ 



<^- 



EIGHT F.ENJH I'KESIDENT. 












LYSSES S. GRANT, ihe 
eighteenth President of the 
United States, was born on 
the 29th of April, 1822, of 
Chnstian parents, in a humble 
home, at Point Pleasant, on the 
banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
his father moved to George- 
town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
received a common-school edu- 
cation. At the age of seven- 
teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
the Military Academy at West 
Point. Here he, was regarded as a 
ioiid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank 
as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, rJjout the 
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis- 
souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating 
jidians. 

The war with Me.xico came. Lieut. Grant was 
;ent with his regiment to Corpus Christ!. His first 
iiattle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here 
.'or the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
Resaca de la Palma, his second battle. At the battle 
:A Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
ie performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
hotsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- 
munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along 
a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
grasped the mnnc of his horse, and hanging uixw one 
side of the anip>.:!l, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 



From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
10 aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. Jn 
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he 
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the 
battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a 
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
pultepec. 

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The 
discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva- 
tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but 
little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- 
lena, 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings 
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — 
"Uncle Sam has educated me for the army: though 
I have served him through one war, I do not fee* that 
I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to disctiarge 
my obligations. I shall (hfrefore buckle on my Sword 
and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 

He went into the streets, raised a company of vol- 
unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
the capital of the Siate. where their services were 
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. 
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the 
volunteer organization that was being formed in the 
State in behalf of the Government. On the 15th ol 



83 



UL YSShS S. GRA NT. 



Juiie, t86i, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such 
ihat he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 
General and was placed in command at Cairo. The 
rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth 
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The 
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
stripes were unfurled in its stead. 

He entered the service with great determination 
and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond 
he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and 
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- 
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry 
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
immediately made a M.njor-General, and the military 
jistrict of Tennessee was assigned to him. 

Like all great captains. Gen. Grant knew well how 
to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
nushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the 
terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the 
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
and opened up the .Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 

CxtA. Cirant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
n's horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid 
of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and 
by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- 
ures put the Union Army in fighting condition. Then 
followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- 
ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials 
a;-.d enter iipop. '.''p duties of his new office 



Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of 
ilie army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National 
troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal 
capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- 
stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as- 
sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole 
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these 
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. 
Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains 
were burdened with closely packed thousands. His 
plans were comprehensive and involved a series of 
campaigns, wlrich were executed with remarkable en- 
ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- 
render of Lee, April 9, 1865. 

The war was ended. The Union was saved. The 
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. 
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal- 
vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered 
tlie country brought him conspicuously forward as the 
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. 

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago. 
May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the 
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a 
majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294 
electoral votes. 

The National Convention of the Republican party 
which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872, 
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term 
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- 
cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 
electoral votes being cast for him. 

Soon after the close of his second term. Gen. Grant 
started upon his famous trip around the world. He 
visited almost every country of the civilized world, 
and was everywhere received with such ovations 
and demonstrations of respect and honor, private 
as well as public and official, as were never before 
bestowed ujxin any citizen of the United States. 

He was the most prominent candidate before the 
Republican National Convention in 1880 for a re- 
noiuination for President. He went to New York and 
enibaiked in the brokerage business under the firm 
nanieof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, 
wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to 
the penitentiary. The General was attacked with 
cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like 
manner, never complaining. He was ve-instated as 
General of the .\rmy and retired by Congress. The 
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 
1885, the nation weni- in mourning over the death of 
the illustrious General. 




I V ■ 



5.. 



'L--^ 



K^- 



r 



NINETEENTH PRESIDENr. 




,v} RUTHERFORD B. HAYES, ma 

pivj , M 



"'^•^>e.<JiiJ^ ;2 



ssrtJ' 





^•■' 



UrHERFORI) B. HAYES, 
the nineteenth President of 
the United States, was born in 
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
most three months after the 
^ death of his father, Rutherford 
Ha>es. His ancestry on both 
the piternal and maternal sides, 
was of the most honorable char- 
acter It can be traced, it is said, 
as far back as 1280, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
tains, fighting side by side with 
fBaliol, William Wallace and Robert 
Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
nobility, owned extensive estates, 
' and had a large following. Misfor- 
.jne cv'. leaking the family, George Hayes left Scot- 
.and in i6!io, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
George wa* born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his li.'e. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
ried Sarah L;e, and lived from the time of his mar- 
riage until h^s death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, 
son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- 
turerof scythej at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
son of Ezekiel' and grandfather of President Hayes, was 
born in New Havon, in August, 1756. He was a farmer, 
blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, 
where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was 



^ 



born. He was married, in September, 18 13, to Sophia 
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- 
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been 
among the wealthiest and best fanilies of Norwich. 
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back tc 
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders 
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industrious 
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a n;e 
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock- 
ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to 
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
the close of the war of 1 81 2, for reasons inexplicable 
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day 
when there were no canals, steamers, noi railways, 
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter 
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
in i8t7. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malatial 
fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
some time before as an act of charity. 

Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the 



92 



RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 



subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he 
was not expected to live beyond a month or two at 
most. As the months went by he grew weaker and 
\*eaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- 
quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died 
iast night. ' On one occasion a neighbor, who was on 
familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the 
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
nim, said in a bantering way, " That's right ! Stick to 
him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't 
wonder if he would really come to something yet." 

" You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. " You 
vait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
President of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
death; and when, in 1S25, his older brother was 
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his 
mother. 

The boy was seven years old before he w,;nt to 
school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
He probably learned as much from his mother and 
iister as he would have done at school. His sports 
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being 
his sister and her associates. These circumstances 
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo- 
sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings 
of others, which are marked traits of his character. 

His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest 
in his education ; and as the boy's health had im- 
proved, and he was making good progress in his 
studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre- 
;)aration commenced with a tutor at home; bit he 
was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the 
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
tered Kenyon College in 1838, at the age of sixteen, 
and was graduated at tlie head of his class in 1842. 

Innnediaiely after his graduation he began the 
study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., 
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in 
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter 
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- 
mained two years. 

In 1845, after graduatmg at the Law School, he was 
admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law 
with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, 
and apparently unambitinus of distinction in his pro- 
Cession. 

^ji 1849 he moved to Cincmnati, where his ambi- 
aon found a new stimulus. For several years, how- 
ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
this period, had a powerful influence upon his subse- 
quent 'ife. One of these was his marrage with M'ss 
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
Chilicothe; the othei' was his introduction to the Cin- 
cinnati Literar)' Club, a body embracing among its 
members such meri as'^hief justice Salmon P.Chase, 



Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many 
others hardly less distinguished in after life. The 
marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as 
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did 
more than she to reflect lionor upon American woman 
hood. The Literary Cluu brought Mr. Haye: 'ntu 
constant association with young men of high char 
acter and noble aims, and lured him to display ''.le 
qualities so lon^ hidden by his bashfulne.s and 
modesty. 

Li 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judgj of 
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to a"- 
cept the nomination. Two years later, the office o 
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council 
elected him for the unexpired term. 

In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out, he was a: 
the zenith of his profession?! Vf.. His rank at the 
bar was among the the first. But the news of tht^ 
attack on Fort Sunqjter found him eager to take ir^ 
arms for the defense of his country. 

His military record was bright ard illustrious. In 
October, 186 1, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio 
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades 
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, h*? 
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle 
of South Mountain he received a wound, and while 
faint and bleeding displayed cour.-'ge and fortitude 
that won admiration from all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after 
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed 
m command of the celebrated Kanawha division, 
and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles 
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted 
Major-General, "forgallant and distinguished ptrvices 
during the campaigns of 1864. in West Virginia." In 
the course of his arduous services, four horses were 
shot from under him, and he was wounded four times 

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from 
the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem- 
ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, 
and after his election was inq^ortuned to resign his 
commission in the army ; but he finally declared, '" 1 
shall never come to Washington until I can come liv 
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1R66. 

I,. 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, 
over Hon. Allen G. Thurman, a populai Democrat. 
In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. 
He was elected Governor for the third term in 1875. 

in 1876 he was the standard Ireaier of the Repub- 
lican P.irty in the Presidential contest, and al'ter n 
hard long contest was chosen President; and was in 
augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his 
full term, not, hcwever, with satisfaction to his party. 
but his adiniristration was an average or" 





C^1 



TiVENTIETH rRESIDENT. 




^^\/^\\> ^^ 



JAMES A, (SARFIELl). , 




AMES A. GARi'IEU), iw^'ii- 
tieth President of the United 
States, was born Nov. ig, 
1S31, in the woods of Orange, 
Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
ents were Abram and Eliza 
(Ballou) Garfield, both of New 
England ancestry and from fami- 
lies well known in the early his- 
~ tory of that section of our coun- 
try, but had moved to the Western 
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
ment. 

The house in which James A. was 
lorn was not unlike the liouses of 
poor Ohio farmers of that day. It 
t-.c about 20x30 feet, built of logs, witli the spaces be- 
.\/een the logs filled with clay. His father was a 
■iard working farmer, and he soon had his fields 
.;leared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built. 
fhe household comprised the father and mother and 
•-heir four children — Mehetabel, 'i'homas, Mary and 
'ames. In May, 1S23, the father, from a cold con- 
.racted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At 
diis time James w?s about eighteen months old, and 
Thomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can 
fell how much James was inde;,ted to his brother's 
toil and self sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
i;eeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very 
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
ters live in Solon, O., near their birthplace. 

The early educational advantages young Garfield 
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of 
tnem. He labored at farm work for others, did car- 
penter work, chopped wood, or did anytliing that 
would lirin;; in a few dollars to aid his widowed 
mother in he- -tiuggles to keep the little family to- 



gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they 
ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor 
the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly 
greeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sureof the 
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, ulain, 
modest gentleman. 

The highest ambition of young Garfield until h: 
was about sixteen years old was to be a captain 0/ 
a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard 
a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. She 
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with th '. 
understanding, however, that he should try to obtair 
some other kind of employment. He walked all the 
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city 
After making many applications for work, and trying 
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
success, he engaged as a drii^er for his cousin, Amos 
Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. He re- 
mained at this work but a short time when he wen" 
home, and attended the seminary at Chester fo~ 
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in 
the meantime, and doing other work. This school 
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of 
which church he was then a member. He became 
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way 
He then becarne both teacher and pupil. He soon 
" exhausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the 
fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from which- 
he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest h<%. - 
ors of his closs. He afterwards returned to Hiram 
College as its President. As above stated, he early 
united with the Christian or Diciples Church at 
Hiram and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- 
ber, often preaching in its pulpit and places where 
he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of 
Yale College, says cf him in reference to his religion : 



JAMES A. GARFIELD. 



" President Garfield was more than a man of 
strong moral and religious convictions. His whole 
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to 
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and 
faith and spiritual comn:ission were controlling springs 
of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In 
my judgmeni there is no more interesting feature of 
nis character than his loyal allegiance to the body of 
Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent 
sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian 
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty 
and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to 
the less stately and cultured Christian communions 
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
that as they step upward in social and political sig- 
nificance they step upward from one degree to 
another in some of the many types of fashionable 
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
;hurch of his mother, the church in which he was 
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- 
'arian charity for all 'who loveour Lord in sincerity.'" 

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. 1 1, 1858, who proved herself 
worthyas the wifeof one whom allthe world loved and 
mourned. To them were born seven children, five of 
v/hom are still living, four boys and one girl. 

Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1 856, 
n Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three 
years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he 
was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio 
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
and in 186 1 was admitted to the bar. The great 
Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, 
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to figiit as he had 
talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- 
ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- 
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 
14, 1861. He was immediately put into active ser- 
vice, and betore he had ever seen a gun fired in action, 
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
work of driving out of his native State the officer 
'Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of 
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given 
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- 
ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- 
ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him 
Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had 
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years 
before, so now he was the youngest General in the 
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, 
in its operations around Corinth and its march through 
.Alabama. He was then detailed as a memberof the 
General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose- 
crans, and was assigned to the " Chief of Staff." 

The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with 



his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he woi' 
the stars 01 the Major-General. 

Without an effort on his part Gev Garfield wa^■ 
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 fiom the 
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Oiiio 
had been represented in Congress for si.xty years 
mainly by two men— Elisha Whittlesey and Joshua 
R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle iliat he 
resigned his place in the army. At (lie lime he en- 
tered Congress he was the youngest member in thai 
body. Ther« he remained by successive re- 
elections until he was elected President in i88o. 
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since 
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question whici, 
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before t, 
tribunel of the American people, in regard to whici 
you will not find, if you wish instruction, the argu- 
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance 
better than by anybody else, in some speech made in 
Ihe House of Representatives or on the hustings by 
Mr. Garfield." 

Uixin Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to 
the U. S. Senate, and on the eiglith of June, of the 
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his 
party for President at the great Chicago Convention. 
He was elected in the following November, and on 
March 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- 
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
auspices than that of President Gaifield, and every 
day it grew in favor with the peojile, and Ijy the first 
of July he had completed all the initiatcry and pre- 
liminary work of his administration and was prepar- 
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams 
College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- 
pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stejiped behind 
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. 
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the 
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the 
left coat sleeve of his victim, but inflicting nofurlhei 
injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was 
" the shot that was heard round the world " Never 
before in the history of the Nation had anything oc 
curred which so nearly froze the blood of the peop" ; 
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit 
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
was at the summit of his power and hojje. For eighty 
days, all during the hot months of July and August, 
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent 
bearing was teaching the country and the world the 
noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the 
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- 
ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept. 
ig, 1883, at Elberon, N. J , on the very bank of the 
ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The 
world wept at his death, as it never had done on the 
death of any other man who had ever lived upon it. 
The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- 
cuted, in one year after he committ-^d the foul deed 





\ 



TWEM TV-FIRST PRESIDENT. 



99 





HESTER A. ARTHUR, 

i|\ twentv-first Presiy^m of the 

United States was born in 

I rinklin Cour ty, Vermont, on 

the fifth of Oc'ol)er, iS-jo, and is 

/ the oldest of a family of two 

sons aid five daughters. His 

father was the Rev. Dr. \\'ilHani 

\r*iur, a Baptist c'',rgyman, who 

emigrated to tb.s country fro'ii 

the county Antrim, Ireland, in 

his 1 8th year, and died in 1875, in 

Newtonville, neai Albany, after a 

long and successful ministry 

Young Arthur was educated at 
Union College, S< henectady, where 
he excelled in all his studies. Af- 
ter his graduation he taught school 
in Vermont for two years, and at 
the expiration cf that time came to 
New York, with $500 in his jwcket, 
and eotered the office of ex-Judge 
E. D. Culver as student. After 
being admitted to the bar he formed 
A partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, 
Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
in the West, and for three months they roamed about 1 
in the Western States in search of an eligible site, 
but in the end returned to New York, where they 
hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success-^ 
ful career almost from the start. General Arthur 
soon afterward nv^^rp' d the daughter of Lieutenant 



Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at 
sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
sion. Ivlrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthurs 
nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
children. 

(ien. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity 
in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, 
brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had 
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior 
Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon. 
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
that they could not be held by the owner under the 
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from 
the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the 
Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. 
Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed 
to represent the People, and they won their case, 
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United 
States. Charles O'Conor here esixiused the cause 
of the slave-holders, but lie too was beaten by Messrs 
Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward 
the emancipation of the black race. 

Another great service was rendered by General 
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings. 
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth 
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. 
General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
verdict of $500 damages. Tlie next day the compa- 
ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride 
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



followed their example. Before that the SixtK Ave- 
nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per- 
sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. 

General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the 
Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed hmi Engineer- 
in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- 
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
great service to the Government during the war. At 
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney 
of New Yoik, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able 
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
not indeed one of national extent. 

He always took a leading part in State and city 
jKjlitics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of 
New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc- 
ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 
?o, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous 
National Republican Convention held at Chicago in 
June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest political 
convention that ever assembled on the continent. It 
was comjx)sed of the 'wading politicians of the Re- 
publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and 
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
respective candidates that were before the conven- 
tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re- 
ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur 
for Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
was one of the most animated known in the history of 
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of 
the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his 
party made a valiant fight for his election. 

Finally the election came and the. country's choice 
.vas Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
vvlavch 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President. 
\ few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
en me terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of 
anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na- 



tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re 
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
able patience that he manifested during those hours 
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- 
fering man has often been called upon to endure, wai 
seemingly more than human. It was certainlv God- 
like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr 
Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his 
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest 
desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to 
serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- 
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 
in deed or look of this man, even though the most 
honored position in tlie world was at any moment 
likely lo fall to him. 

At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- 
field from further suffering, and the world, as never 
before in its history over the death of any other 
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of 
the Vice President to assume the responsibilities of 
the high office, and he took the oath in New York, 
Sept. 20, 1 88 1. The position was an embarrassing 
one. to him, made doubly so from the facts that all 
eyes were, on him, anxious to know what he would do, 
what policy he would pursue, and who he would se- 
lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been 
greatly neglected during the President's long illness, 
and many important measures were to be immediately 
decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he 
did not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
became President, and knew the feelings of many on 
this point. Under these trying circumstances President 
.Arthur took the reins of the Government in Ms own 
hands ; and, as embarrassing as were the condition cl 
affairs, he happily surprised the nation, actmg si; 
wisely that but few criticised his administration. 
He served the nation well and fa'thfully, until the 
close of his administration, March 4, 1885. and was 
a popular candidate before his party for a second 
term. His name was ably presented before the con 
vention at Chicago, and was received with great 
favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity 
of one of the opposing candidates, he would have 
been selected as the standard-bearer of his party 
for another campaign. He retired to private life car- 
rying with him the best wishes of the American peo- 
ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory 
to them and with credit to himself. 




C''}^iyL£y;^" C/-C-u€^CC 



d^iyxJ^A 



TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. 



103 




^Q^r/:\V^^^ 






:.'f'S«-K;g#5"s-'i»*:!S<*«-S::c***;-g* 



r^isaer Cleuclv\n'S> 



,^^ri^^|^^^!^^^;g^,^- ' 



:r'#^;:^'^-^A$^^;f;^«-^A=^^:^;i:c'5^ 



^^ivxy^^ep 





TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- 
LAND, the twenty- second Pres- 
ident of the United States, was 
1-orn in 1837, in the obscure 
town of Caldwell, Essex Co., 
" ' N. J., and in a little two-and-a- 
half-story white house which is still 
standing, characteristically to mark 
the humble birth-place of one of 
America's great men in striking con- 
trast with the Old World, where all 
men high in office must be high in 
origin and born in the cradle of 
wealth. When the subject of this 
sketch was three years of age, his 
father, who was a Presbyterian min- 
ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, 
by way g; the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to 
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a 
larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles from 
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born. 

At the last mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to school in the "good, old-fashioned 
way," and presumably distinguished himself after the 
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he 
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of 
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he 
arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the 
capacity of the village school and expressed a most 



emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this 
his father decidedly objected. Academies in those 
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to 
become self-supporting by the quickest possible 
means, and this at that time in Fayette /ille seemed 
to be a position in a country store, where his father 
and the large family on his hands had considerable 
influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services 
tlie first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to 
receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com- 
menced his career as salesman, and in two years he 
had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness 
that his employers desired to retain him for an in. 
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- 
hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or 
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. 
But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- 
ville, he went with the family in their removal to 
Ctiuton, where he had an opportunity of attending a 
high school. Here he industriously pursued his 
studies until the family removed with him to a point 
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a 
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, 
N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching 
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a 
small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an 
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two 
years, and although he obtained a good reputation in 
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not hig 



S. GROVE R CLEVELANL>. 



calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order, 
ne left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going 
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as 
thf;re was some charm in that name for him; but 
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to 
jsk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted 
stock-breeder of that place. The latter did not 
rpeak enthusiastically. "What is it you want to do, 
my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study 
'aw," was the reply. "Good gracious!" remarked 
■ he old gentleman ; " do you, indeed .' What ever put 
that into year head? How much money have you 
got.'" -Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got 
anir." 

After a long consultation, his uncle ofTered him a 
place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a 
year, while iic could " look around." One day soon 
afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, 
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told Ihem what he 
wanted. A number of young men were already en- 
gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and 
ne was finally permitted to come as an office boy and 
.lave the use of the law library, for the nominal sum 
of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for 
his board and washing. The walk to and from his 
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had 
jiooe — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. 
On the first day of his service here, his senior em- 
Dloyer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him 
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's 
where they all begin." A titter ran around the little 
circle of clerks and students, as they thought that 
was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; 
out in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland 
exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for 
chasing principles through all their metaphysical 
ix)ssibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do 
't,"was practically his motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was 
elected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 
which Buifiilo is situated; and in such capacity it fell 
CO his duty to inflict capital pi'-.'.shment upon two 
caminals. In 1881 he was elected Mayor of the 
City of Bufliilo, o'l the Democratic ticket, with es- 
pecial reference to the bringing about certain r'.'forms 



in the administration of the municipal affairs of that 
city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, hi-; 
performance of d ity has generally been considered 
fair, with possibly a few exceptions wiiich were fer- 
reted out and magnified during tlie lait Presidential 
campaign. As a specimen of his plain l.inguage in 
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui- 
tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time ibi 
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall 
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of 
a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme 
to betray the interests of the people and to wors3 
than squander the people's money." The New York 
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- 
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- 
upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire 
State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, 
and his administration of the affairs of State was 
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he niade, if 
any, were made very public throughout the nation 
after he was nominated for President of the United 
States. For this high office he was nominated July 
II, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at 
Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F. 
Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, 
Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.: and he 
was elected by the people, by a majority of about a 
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- 
lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- 
land resigned his office as Governor of New York in 
January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as 
the Ciiief Executive of the United States, in which 
capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th ot 
March, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selected 
the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State, 
Thomas Y. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of the 
Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York; Secretary 
of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts ; 
Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New 
York ; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of 
Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas, 
of Wisconsin ; Attorney-General, .A. H. Garland, of 
Arkansas. 

The silver question precipitated a controver',7 be- 
tween those who were in favor of the continuance of 
silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr. 
Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his 
inauguration. 




^ 




€^a 



^2>'7'^^?'L-i.-*i^t5^-^^ 



TWENTY-THIKU PRESIDlEI^I. 




••o*o-@v'</^"04o.. 




ENJAMIN HARRISON, the 

§|J\ , ^weiity-tliird President, is 
siRfe? IliG descendant of one of the 
li'lj:/ historical families of this 
country. The head of the 
family was a Major General 
__'^^<!^&ti Harrison, one of Oliver 
]']T/^ Q Cromwell's trusted follow- 

al^^ ers and fighters. In tlio zenith of Crom- 
well's power it became the duty of this 
Harrison to p.articipate in the trial of 
Charles I, and afterward to sign the 
death warrant of the king. He su'ose- 
quently paid for tliis with his life, being 
hung Oct. 13, 1600. His descendants 
came to America, and the next of the 
family that appears in history is Benja- 
;.:in '^Tarrison, of Virginia, great-grand- 
father of the subject of this sketch, and 
after whom he was named. Benjamin Harrison 
was a member of the Continental Congress during 
the years .774-5-6, and was one of the original 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. He 
wa: three times elected Governor of Virginia, 
Gen William Ilcnij' Harrison, the son of the 



distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a sue. 
cessful career as a soldier during the War of 1812, 
and with -a clean record as Governor of the North- 
western Territory, was elected President of the 
United States in 1840. His career was cut short 
by death within one month :.fter liis inauguration. 
President Harrison war born at Nortii Bend, 
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. -^0, 18a3. His life up to 
the time of his graduation Ity the Miami University 
at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a coun- 
try lad of a family of small means. His father was 
able to give him a goo<l education, and nothing 
more. He became engaged while at college to ti'.'s 
daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female schoo 
at Oxford. After graduating he determined to en^ 
ter upon the study of the law. He went to Cin 
cinnati and then read law for two years. At tbt 
expiration of that time young Harrison receiv.d tb. 
only inheritance of his life; his aunt dying left liin; 
a lot valued at $800. He regarded this legacy as t 
fortune, and decided to get married at once, (aks 
this money and go to some Eastern town an '. be- 
gin the practice of law. He sold his lot, and with 
the mone}' in his pocket, he started out witii his 
young wife to fight for a place \n the world. Me 



108 



BENJAMIN IIARRISONi. 



ieculed to go to Indianapolis, whiefl was even at 
ili;U time a town of promise. He met willi sliglit 
iiicoiiragement at first, making scarcely anytliing 
ilie first year. He workt'd diligently, appl3ing him- 
self closely to his calling, built up an extensive 
practice and took a leading rank in the legal i)ro- 
_3Ssion. He is the father of two children. 

In 186C Mr. Harrison was nominated for the 
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be- 
gan his experience as a stump speake: He can- 
vassed the State tnoroughly, and was elected by a 
handsome majority. In 1862 he raised the 17th 
Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. His 
regiment was composed of the rawest of material, 
out Col. Harrison employed all his time at first 
mastering military tactics and drilling his men, 
when he therefore came to move toward the East 
with Sherman his regiment was one of the best 
drilled and organized in the arm)'. At Resaca he 
especially distinguished himself, and for his bravery 
-t. Peachtree Creek he was made a Brigadier Gen- 
•jal. Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most 
'/omplimentarj' terms. 

During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field 
lie Supreme Court declared the office of the Su- 
preme "Court Reporter vacant, and another person 
was elected to the position. From the time of leav- 
ing Indiana vvith his regiment until tlie fall of 1864 
he had taken no leave of absence, but having been 
nominated that year for the same office, he got a 
thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time 
made a brilliant canvass of the State, and was elected 
for another terra. He then started to rejoin Sher- 
xan, but on the way was stricken down with scarlet 
.ever, and after a most tr\ing siege made his way 
to the front in time to participate in the closing 
ncidents of the war. 

In 1868 Gen. Harrison declined re-election as 
.-eporter, and resumed the practice of law. In 1876 
£e was a candidate for Governor. Altho'igh de- 
eated, the brilliant campaign he made won lOrhim 
1 National reputation, and he was much sought, es- 
pecial.y in the East, to make speeches. In 1880, 
as usual, he took an active part in the campaign, 
und w:. elected to the United States Senate. Here 
he served six years, an(' ^'as known as one or the 
»biest men, best lawyer'- ..nd stronges' debaters in 



ihat body. With the expiration of his Senatoii;.; 
term he returned to the practice <jf his profession, 
becoming the head of one of the strongest firms in 
the State. 

The political campaign of 1888 was one of the 
iUost memorable in the historj- of our countiy. The 
convention which assembled in Chicago in June and 
named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer 
of the Republican party, was great in everj' partic- 
ular, and on this account, and the attitude it as- 
sumed upon the vital questions of the day, chief 
among which was the tariff, awoke a deep interest 
in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly 
after the nomination delegations began to visit Mr, 
Harrison at Indianapolis, his home. This move- 
ment became popular, and from all sections of the 
country societies, clubs and delegations journe3'ed 
thither to paj' tlieir respects to the distinguished 
statesman. The popularity' of these was greatly 
increased on account of the remarkable speeches 
made by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all through 
the summer and autumn to these visiting delega- 
tions, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were 
his speeches that they at once placed him in the 
foremost rank of American orators and statesmen. 

On account or his eloquence as a speaker and his 
power as a debater, he was called upon at an uii- 
coiiimonly eariy age to take part in the diseussioi: 
of the great questions that then began t j agitate 
tlie countiy. He was an niicom promising ant- 
slavery man, and was matched against some of i':.e 
most eminent Dem(>cratic speakers of his State. 
No man who felt the touch of his blade de 'red tt 
be i)itted with liim again. AVith all his eloq-'ence 
as an orator he never spoke for oratorica'i effect, 
but his words always went like bullets to the mark 
He is purely American in liis ideas and is a spier 
did type of the American statesman. Gifted witi 
quick perception, a logical mind and a read)- tongue, 
he is one of the most distinguished impromptu 
speakers in the Nation, ilauy of these sijeeclies 
sparkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained 
arguments of greatest weight. Many of his terse 
statements have already become aphorisms. Origi- 
nal in thought precise ia logic, terse m statement, 
yet withal faultless in ekr uence. he is recognized as 
the sound statesman and briijlan orator c t.i. day 




.7iPlttV ^c 



T^^-i 







GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



^r^Vi j^jx (.pf> e 



mm 



9«9,o.»^'-'>^'^^i^' 



*%, 



^ STEPHEN T. MASON. I^ 



j -v«jlli2£r©^**6-^»<»-6»4 



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s^i-ss" 




TEPHEN T. MASON, the 
first Governorof Michigan, was 
iM^a son of Gen. John T. Mason, 
of Kentucky, but was born in 
Virginia, in 1S12. At the age 
•^ of 19 he was appointed Secre- 
tary of Michigan Territory, and 
served in that capacity during the 
administration of Gov. George B. 
Porter. Upon the death of Gov. 
Porter, which occurred on the 6th of 
July, 1834, Mr. Mason became Act- 
ing Governor, hi October, 1835, he 
was elected Governor under the St ate 
organization, and immediately en- 
tered upon the performance of the 
' duties of the office, although the 
State was not yet admitted into the Union. After 
the State was admitted into the Union, Governor 
Mason was re-elected to the position, and served with 
credit to himself and to the advantage of the State. 
He died Jan. 4, 1843. The principal event during 
Governor Mason's official career, was that arising from 
the disputed southern boundary of the State. 

Michigan claimed for her southern boundary aline 
running east across the peninsula from the extreme 
southern ix)int of Lake Michigan, extending through 
Lake Erie, to the Pennsylvania line. This she 
claimed as a vested right — a right accruing to her by 
compact. This compact was the ordinance of 1787, 
:he parties to which were the original 13 States, and 
'.he territory northwest of the Ohio; and, by the suc- 
cession of parties under statutory amendments to the 
ordinance and laws of Congress — the United States on 
'he one part, and each Territory northwest of the 
• )'iio, ;is f.Tr as affected by their provisions, on I'lc 



other. Michigan, therefore, claimed it under the jirior 
grant, or assignation of boundary. 

Ohio, on the other liand, claimed that the ordinance 
had been superseded by the Constitution of the 
United States, and that Congress had a right to regu- 
late the boundary. It was also claimed that the 
Constitution of the Slate of Ohio having described a 
different line, and Congress having admitted the State 
under that Constitution, without mentioning the sub- 
ject of the line in dispute. Congress had thereby given 
its consent to the line as laid down by the Constitu- 
tion of Ohio. This claim was urged by Ohio at 
some periods of the controversy, but at others she ap- 
peared to regard the question unsettled, by the fact 
that she insisted upon Congress taking action in re- 
gard to the boundary. Accordingly, we find that, in 
181 2, Congress authorized the Surveyor-General to 
survey a line, agreeably to the act, to enable the people 
of Ohio to form a Constitution and State government. 
Owing to Indian hostilities, however, the line was not 
run till 1818. In 1820, the question in dispute 
underwent a rigid examination by the Committee on 
Public Lands. The claim of Ohio was strenuously 
urged by her delegation, and as ably opposed by Mr. 
Woodbridge, the then delegate from Michigan. The 
result was that the committee decided unanimously 
in favor of Michigan; but, in the hurry of business, 
no action was taken by Congress, and the questic- 
remained open till Michigan organized her State gov- 
ernment. 

The Territory in dispute is about five miles in 
width at the west end, and about eight miles in width 
at the east end, and extends along the whole north- 
ern line of Ohio, west of Lake Eric. The line claimed 
by Michigan was known as the " Fulton line," and 
that claimed by Ohio was known as the" Har-isline,' 



STEPHEN r. MASON. 



from the names of the surveyors. The territory was 
valuable for its rich agricultural lands; but the chief 
value consisted in the fact that the harbor on the 
Maumee River, where now stands the flourishing city 
of Toledo, was included within its limits The town 
originally bore the name of Swan Creek, afterwards 
Port Lawrence, then Vestula, and then Toledo. 

In February, 1835, the Legislature of Ohio passed 
an act extending the jurisdiction of the State over 
the territory in question; erected townships and 
directed them to hold elections in April following. It 
also directed Governor Lucus to apjxjint three com- 
missioners to survey and re-mark the Harris line ; and 
named the first of April as the day to commence the 
survey. Acting Governor Mason, however, anticipated 
this action on the part of the Ohio Legislature, sent 
a special message to the Legislative Council, appris- 
ing it of Governor Lucas' message, and advised imme- 
diate action by that body to anticipate and counteract 
the proceedings of Ohio. Accordingly, on the 12th 
of February, the council passed an act making it a 
criminal offence, punishable by a heavy fine, or im- 
prisonment, for any one to attempt to exercise any 
official functions, or accept any office within the juris- 
diction of Michigan, under or by virture of any au- 
thority not derived from the Territory, or the United 
States. On the 9th of March, Governor Mason wrote 
General Brown, then in command of the Michigan 
militia, directing him to hold himself in readiness to 
meet the enemy in the field in case any attempt was 
made on the part of Ohio to carry out the provisions 
of that act of the Legislature. On the 31st of March, 
Governor Lucus, with his commissioners, arrived at 
Perrysburgh, on their way to commence re-surveying 
the Harris line. He was accomi)anied by General 
Bell and staff, of the Ohio Militia, who proceeded to 
muster a volunteer force of about 600 men. This 
was soon accomplished, and the force fully armed and 
equipped. The force then went into c.imp at Fort 
Miami, to await the Governor's orders. 

In the meantime. Governor Mason, with General 
Brown and staff, had raised a force 800 to 1200 
strong, and were in possession of Toledo. General 
Brown's Staff consisted of Captain Henry Smith, of 
Monroe, Inspector; Major J. J. Ullman, of Con- 
stantine, Quartermaster; William E. Broadman, of 
Detroit, and .\lpheus Fekh,of Monroe, Aids-de- 
camp. When Governor Lucas observed the deter- 
mined bearing of the Michigan braves, and took note 



of their number, he found it convenient to content 
himself for a time with " watching over the border.'' 
Several days were passed in this exhilarating employ- 
ment, and just as Governor Lucas had made up his 
mind to do something rash, two commissioners ar- 
rived from Washington on a mission of peace. They 
remonstrated with Gov. Lucus, and reminded him of 
the consequences to himself and his State if he per- 
sisted in his attempt to gain possessionof the disputed 
territory by force. After several conferences with 
bolh governors, the connnissioners submitted proiiosi- 
tions for their consideration. 

Governor Lucas at once accepted the propositions, 
and disbanded his forces. Governor Mason, on the 
other hand, refused to accede to the arrangement, and 
declined to compromise the rights of his people by a 
surrender of possession and jurisdiction. When Gov- 
ernor Lucus disbanded his forces, however. Governor 
Mason partially followed suit, but still held himself 
in readiness to meet any emergency that might arise. 

Governor Lucus now supposed that his way was 
clear, and that he could re-mark the Harris line with- 
out being molested, and ordered the commissioners 
to proceed with their work. 

In the meantime. Governor Mason kept a watch- 
ful eye upon the proceedings. General Brown sent 
scouts through the woods to watch their movements, 
and report when operations were commenced. When 
the surveying party got within the county of Lena- 
wee, the under-sheriff of that county, armed with a 
warrant, and accompanied by a posse, suddenly made 
his appearance, and succeeded in arresting a jwrtion 
of the party. The rest, including the commissioners, 
took to their heels, and were soon beyond the dis- 
puted territory. They reached Perrysburgh the fol- 
lowing day in a highly demoralized condition, and 
reported they had been attacked by an overwhelm- 
ing force of Michigan malitia, under command of 
General Brown. 

This summary breaking up of the surveying party 
produced the most tremendous e.xcitement throughout 
Ohio. Governor Lucas called an extra session of the 
Legislature. But little remains to be said in reference 
to the "war." The question continued for some time 
to agitate the minds of the opposing parties; and the 
action of Congress was impatiently awaited. Michigan 
was admitted into the LTnion on tfie condition that 
she give to Ohio the disputed territory, and accept 
in return the Northern Peninsula, which she did. 




^ ^^^^t.z^-c/^-^-^^^^y^ 



SECOND GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN^. 



109 













ILLIAM WOODBRIDCIE, 
1* 4iasecond Governor of Michigan, 
was horn at Norwich, Conn., 
Aug. 20, 1780, and died at 
;■ Detroit Oct. 20, 1861. He 
was of a family of three brothers 
and two sisters. His father, 
Dudley VVoodbridge, removed to 
Marietta, Ohio, about 1790. The 
life of Wm. Woodbridge, by Chas. 
Lauman, from which this sketch 
is largely com piled, mentions noth- 
ing concerning his early education 
beyond the fact that it was such as 
was afibrded by the average school 
of the time, except a year with the 
French colonists at Gallipolis, 
where he acquired a knowledge of 
the French language. It should 
be borne in mind, however, that 
home education at that time was 
an indispensable feature in the 
training of the young. To this and 
and to a few studies well mastered, 
is due that strong mental discipline which has served 
as a basis for many of the grand intellects that have 
adorned and helped to make our National history. 
Mr. Woodbridge studied law at Marietta, having 
as a fellow student an intimate personal friend, a 
young man subsequently distinguished, but known 
at that time simply as Lewis Cass. He graduated at 
the law school in Connecticut, after a course there of 
nearly three years, and began to practice at Marietta 
in 1806. In June, 1806, he married, at Hartford, Con- 
necticut, ; I If anna, daughter of John Trumbell, a 
distingu SI e 1 nithor and jiidi.' ; and author cf'':^ 



peom McFingal, which, during a dark period of the 
Revolution, wrought such a magic change upon the 
sjjirits of the colonists. He was happy in his domes ■ 
til- relations until the death of Mrs. W., Feb. 2, rg, i860. 

Our written biographies necessarily speak more 
fully of men, because of their active participation in 
public affairs, but human actions are stamped upon 
the page of time and when the scroll shall be unrolled 
the influence of good women upon the history of the 
world will be read side by side with the deeds of men. 
How much success and renown in life many men owe 
to their wives is probably little known. Mrs. W. en- 
joyed the best means of early education that the 
country afforded, and her intellectual genius enabled 
her to improve her advantages. During her life, side 
by side with the highest type of domestic and social 
graces, she manifested a keen intellectuality that 
formed the crown of a faultless chaiacter. She was 
a natural poet, and wrote quite a large number of fine 
verses, some of which are preserved in a printed 
memorial essay written upon the occasion of her 
death. In this essay, it is said of her "to contribute 
even in matters of minor importance, to elevate the 
reputation and add to the well being of her husband 
in the various stations he was called upon to fill, gave 
her the highest satisfaction " She was an invalid 
during the latter jwrtion of her life, but was patient 
and cheerful to the end. 

In 1807, Mr. \V. was chosen a representative to the 
General Assembly of Ohio, and in 1809 was elected to 
the Senate, continuing a member by re-election until 
his removal from the State. He also held, by a.\>- 
pointment, during the time the office of Prosecuting 
Attorney for his county. He took a leading part in 
the Legislature, and in 18 12 drew up a declaration and 
rp?oI"tions, which passed the two houses\in;iniiuously 



WILLIAM WOODBRIDGE. 



and attracted great attention, endorsing, in strongest 
and most emphatic terms, the war measures of Presi- 
dent Madison. During the period from 1804 to 1814 
the two law students, Woodbridge and Cass, had be- 
come widely separated. Tlie latter was Govjrnor of 
the Territory of Michigan under the historic "Governor 
and Judges" plan, with the indispensable requisite of a 
Secretary of the Territorry. This latter position was, 
;n 18 14, without solicitation on his part, tendered to 
Mr. W. He accepted the position with some hesita- 
tion, and entered upon its duties as soon as he could 
make the necessary arrangements for leaving Ohio. 
The oilfice of Secretary involved also the duties of 
collectorof customsat the port of Detroit, and during 
the frequent absences of the Governor, the dischargeof 
of his duties, also including those of Superintendent 
of Indian Affairs. Mr. W. officiated as Governor for 
about two years out of the eight years that he held the 
office of Secretary Under the administration of "Gov- 
ernor and Judges," which the people of the Territory 
preferred for economical reasons, to continue some lime 
after their numbers entitled them to a more popular 
representative system, they were allowed no delegate 
in Congress. Mr. VV., as a sort of informal agent of 
the ueople, by correspondence and also by a visit to 
the National capital, so clearly set forth the demand 
for representation by a delegate, that an act was 
passedin Congress in iSigauthorizingone tobechosen. 
Under this act Mr. W. was elected by the concurrence 
of all parties. His first action inCongress was to secure 
'.he jjassage of a bill recognizing and confirming the 
old French land titles in the Territory according to 
the terms of the treaty of peace with Great Britain 
at the close of the Revolution ; and another for the 
construction of a Government road through the "black 
swamps" from tlie Miami River to Detroit, thus 0|)en- 
ing a means of land transit between Ohio and Micli- 
igan. He was influential in securing the passage of 
bills for the construction of Government roads from 
Detroit to Chicago, and Detroit to Fort Gratiot, and 
for the improvement of La Plaisance Bay. The ex- 
pedition for the exploration of the country around 
Lake Superior and in the valley of the Upper Mis- 
sissippi, projected by Governor Cass, was set on foot 
by means of representations made to the head of the 
department by Mr. W. While in Congress he stren- 
uously maintained the right of Michigan to the strip 
of territory now forming the northern boundary of 
Ohio, which formed the subject of such grave dispute 
between Ohio and Michigan at the time of the ad- 
mission of the latter into the Union. He served 
but one term as delegate to Congress, de- 
clining further service on account of personal and 
family considerations. Mr. \V. continued to discharge 
the duties of Secretary of the Territory up to the time 
its Government passed into the "second grade." 

In 1824, he was appointed one of a board of 
commissioners for adjusting private land claims in 



the Territory, and was engaged also in the practice of 
his profession, having the best law library in the Ter- 
ritory. In 1828, upon the recommendation of the 
Governor, Judges and others, he was appointed by the 
President, J. Q. .A.dams, to succeed Hon. James With- 
erell, who had resigned as a Judge of what is conven- 
tionally called the "Supreme Court" of the Teriitory. 
This court was apparently a continuation of the Terri- 
torial Court, imder the "first grade" or "Governor and 
Judges" system, .\lthough it was supreme in its ju- 
dicial functions within the Territory, its powers and 
duties were of a very general character. 

In 1832, the term of his appointment as Judge ex- 
piring. President Jackson appointed a successor, it is 
supposed on political grounds, much to the disappoint- 
ment of tlie pubhc and the bar of the Territory. The 
partisan feehng of the time e.xtended into the Terri- 
tory, and its people began to think of assuming the 
dignity of a State government. Party lines becom- 
ing very sharply drawn, he identified himself with 
the Whigs and was elected a member of the Conven- 
tion of 1835, which formed the first State Constitution. 
In 1837 he was elected a member of t' e Slate Senate. 

This sketch has purposely dealt somewhat in detail 
witli what may be called Judge W's. earlier career, 
because it is closely identified with the early his- 
tory of the State, and the development of its politi- 
cal system. Since the organization of the State Gov- 
ernment the history of Michigan is more familiar, and 
hence no review of Judge W's career as Governor 
and Senator will be attempted. He was elected Gov- 
ernor in 1839, under a popular impression that the 
affairs of the State had not been prudently adminis- 
tered by the Democrats. He served as Governor but 
little more than a year, when he was elected to the 
Senate of the LTnited States. 

His term in the Senate practically closed his polit- 
ical life, although he was strongly urged by many 
prominent men for the Whig nomination for Vice 
President in 1848. 

Soon after his appointment as Judge in 1828, Gov- 
ernor W. took up his residence on a tract of land 
which he owned in the township of Spring Wells, a 
short distance below what was then the corporate lim- 
its of Detroit, where he resided during the remainder 
of his life. Both in his public papers and private 
communications, Governor W. shows himself a mas- 
ter of language; he is fruitful in simile and illustra- 
tion, logical in arrangement, hap[)y in the choice and 
treatment of topics, and terse and vigorous in expres- 
sion. Judge W. was a (^ongregationalist. His opinions 
on all sulijects were decided; he was earnest and 
energetic, courteous and dignified, and .it times ex- 
hibited a vein of fine humor that was tlie more at- 
tractive because not too often allowed to come to the 
surface. His letters and addresses show a deep and 
earnest affection not only for his ancestral home, but 
the home of his adoption and for friends and family. 



GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 





xJOHN S. BARRY 



:f\'^iii:mi'^^i^^mi^^*^^^s^^^Si^4^\^s^i^.c'3^ 



-<*^fi >- 



-* w^— 




' I OHN STEWARD BARRY, 
^Governor of Michigan from 
Jan. 3, 1842, to Jan. 5, 1846, 
and from Jan. 7, 1850, to Jan. 
I, 1852, was born at Amherst, 
N. H., Jan. 29, 1802. His par- 
ents, John and Ellen (Steward) 
Barry, early removed to Rocking- 
ham, Vt., where he remained until 
h lie became of age, working on his 
father's farm, and pursuing his 
studies at the same time. He mar- 
ried Mary Kidder, of Grafton, Vt., 
and in 1S24 went to Georgia, Vt., 
where lie li;;d charge of an academy 
for iwo years, meanwhile studying 
He afterward practiced law in 
that State. While he was in Georgia he was for some 
time a member of the Governor's staff, with the title 
of Governor's Aid, and at a somewhat earlier period 
was Captain of a company of State militia. In 1831 
he removed to Michigan, and settled at White Pigeon, 
where he engaged in mercantile business with I. W. 
Willard. 

Four years after, 1834, Mr. Barry removed to Con- 



stantine and continued his mercantile pursuits. He 
became Justice of the Peace at White Pigeon, Mich. 
in 1831, and held the office until the year 1835 
Mr. Barry's first public office was that of a member 
of the first constitutional convention, which assembled 
and flamed the constitution upon which Michigan 
was admitted into the Union. He took an important 
and prominent part in the proceedings of that body, 
and showed himself to be a man of far more than 
ordinary ability. 

Upon Michigan being admitted into the Union, 
Mr. Barry was chosen State Senator, and so favorably 
were his associates impressed with his abilities at the 
first session of the Legislature that they looked to him 
as a party leader, and that he should head the State 
ticket at the following election. Accordingly he re- 
ceived the nomination for Governor at the hands 
of his party assembled in convention. He was 
elected, and so popular was his administration that, in 
1842, he was again elected. During these years 
Michigan was embarrassed by great financial diffi- 
culties, and it was through his wisdom and sound judg- 
ment that the State was finally placed upon a solid 
financial basis. 

During the first year of Gov. Barry's first term, the 
University at Ann .Arbor was opened for the reception 



114 



JOHN STEWARD BARRY. 



of students. The Michigan Central and Michigan 
Southern railroads were being rapidly constructed, and 
general progress was everywhere noticeable. In 1842, 
the number of pupils reported as attending the public 
schools was nearly fifty-eight thousand. In 1843, a 
State land office was established at Marshall, which 
was invested with the charge and disposition of all 
the lands belonging to the State In 1S44, the ta.x- 
able property of the State was found to be over 
twenty-eight millions of dollars, the tax being at the 
rate of two mills on the dollar. The expenses of the 
State were only seventy thousand dollars, while the 
income from the railroads was nearly three hundred 
thousand dollars. At this time the University of 
Michigan had become so prosperous that its income 
was ample to pay the interest on the University debt ; 
and the amount of money which the State was able 
to loan the several progressing railroads was one 
hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Efforts were 
made to increase the efficiency of the common schools 
with good results In 1845, when Gov. Bariy's sec- 
ond term expired, the population of the State was 
more than three hundred thousand. 

The constitution of the State forbade more than two 
consecutive terms, but he was called upon to fill the 
position again in i85o^the only instance of the kind 
in the history of the State. He was a member of the 
Territorial Legislature, of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion, and afterward of the State House of Represent- 
atives. 

During Mr. Barry s third term as Governor the Nor- 
mal School was established at Ypsilanti, which was 
endowed with lands and placed in charge of a board 
of education consisting of six persons. A new con- 
stitution for the government of the State was also 
adopted and the ''Great Railway Conspiracy Case" 
was tried. This grew out of a series of lawless acts 
which had been committed upon the property of the 
Michigan Central Railroad Company, along the line 
of their road, and finally tlie burning of the de;K)t 
at Detroit, in 1850. 

At a setting of the grand jury of Wayne County, 
April 24, 1851, 37 men of the 50 under arrest for this 
crime were indicted. May 20, following, the accused 
parties appeared at tlie Circuit Court of Wayne, of 
which AVarner Wing was resident judge. The Rail- 
road Company cmjiloyed ten eminent lawyers, in- 
cluding David Stuart, John Van Arman, James A. 
Van Dyke, Jacob M. Howard, .\lex. D. Fraser, Dan- 
iel Goodwin and William Gray. The defendants were 
represented by six members of the State bar, led by 
William H. Seward, of New York. The trial occupied 
four months, during which time the plaintiffs exam- 
ined 246 witnesses in 27 days, and the defendants 
249 in 40 days. Mr. Van Dyke addressed the jury 
for the prosecution; William H. Seward for the 
defense. 

The great lawyer was convinced of the innocence 



of his clients, nor did the verdict of that jury and tlie 
sentence of that judge remove his firm belief thai his 
clients were the victims of purchased treachery, 
rather than so many sacrifices to justice. 

The verdict of " guilty " was rendered at 9 o'clock 
1'. M., .Sept. 25, 185 I. On the 26th the prisoners were 
put forward to receive sentence, when many of them 
protested their entire innocence, after which the pre- 
siding judge condemned 12 of the number to Die fol- 
lowing terms of imprisonment, with hard labor, within 
the State's prison, situate in their county : Ammi 
Filley, ten years; Orlando L. Williams, ten years; 
Aaron Mount, eight years ; Andrew J. Freeland, eight 
years; Eben Farnham, eight years; William Corvin, 
eight years ; Richard Price, eight years ; Evan Price, 
eight years; Lyman Champlin, five years; Willard 
W. Cliamplin, five years; Erastus Champlin, five 
years; Erastus Smith, five years. 

In 1840, Gov. Barry became deeply interested in 
the cultivation of the sugar beet, and visited Euroi)e 
to obtain information in reference to its culture. 

He was twice Presidential Elector, and his last 
public service was that of a delegate to the National 
Democratic Convention held in Chicago in 1864. 

He was a man who, throughout life, maintained a 
liigh character for integrity and fidelity to the trusts 
bestowed upon him, whether of a public or a private 
nature, and he is acknowledged by all to have been 
one of the most efficient and [wpular Governors the 
State has ever had. 

Gov. Barry was a man of incorruptible integrity. 
His opinions, which he reached by the most thorough 
investigation, he held tenaciously. His strong con- 
victions and outspoken honesty made it impossible for 
him to take an undefined position when a principle 
was involved. His attachments and prejudices were 
strong, yet he was never accused of favoritism in his 
administration of public affairs. As a speaker he was 
not remarkable. Solidity, rather than brilliancy, char- 
acterized his oratory, which is described as argument- 
ative and instructive, but cold, hard, and entirely 
wanting in rhetorical ornament. He was never elo- 
quent, seldom humorous or sarcastic, and in manner 
rather awkward. 

Although Mr. Barry's educational advantages were 
so limited, he was a life-long student. He mastered 
both ancient and modern languages, and acquired a 
thorough knowledge of history. No man owed less 
to political intrigue as a means of gaining |X)si- 
tion. He was a true statesman, and gained public es- 
teem by his solid worth. His political connections 
were always with the Democratic party, and his opin- 
ions were usually extreme. 

Mr. Barry retired to private life after the beginning 
of the ascendency of the Repulilican party, and car- 
ried on his mercantile business at Constantine. He 
died Jan. 14, 1870, his wife's death having occurred a 
year previous, March 30, 1869. They left no children. 




(^/^/^U^^J. 




GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 







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^1 LPHI 
Wi Gover 



[EUS FELCH, the third 
Governor of Michigan, was 
§*born in Limerick, Maine, Sep- 
tember 28, 1806. His grand- 
father, Abijah Felch, was a sol- 
"'■^ dier in the Revolution ; and 
when a young man, having with 
others obtained a grant of land be- 
tween the Great and Little Ossipee 
Rivers, in Maine, moved to that re- 
gion when it was yet a wilderness. 
The father of Mr. Felch embarked in 
mercantile life at Limerick. He was 
the first to engage in that business in 
that section, and continued it until 
his death. The death of the father, 
followed within a year by the death of 
the mother, left the subject of this sketch, then three 
years old, to the care of relatives, and he found a 
home with his paternal grandfather, where he re- 
mained until his death. Mr Felch received his early 
education in the district school and a neighboring 
academy. In 182 1 he became a student at Phillips 
Exter Academy, and, subsequently, entered Bowdoin 
College, graduated with the class of 1827. He at 
once began the study of law and was admitted to 
practice at Bangor, Me., in 1830. 

He began the practice of his profession at Houlton, 
Me., where he remained until 1833. The severity 
of the climate impaired his health, never very good, 
and he found it necessary to seek a change of climate. 
He disposed of his library and started to seek 
a new home. His intention was to join his friend,' 



Sargent S. Prentiss, at Vicksburg, Miss., but on his 
arrival at Cincinnati, Mr. Felch was attacked by 
cholera, and when he had recovered sufficiently to 
permit of his traveling, found that the danger of the 
disease was too great to permit a journey down the 
river. He therefore determined to come to Michi- 
gan. He first began to practice in this State at Mon- 
roe, where he continued until 1843, when he removed 
to Ann Arbor. He was elected to the State Legisla- 
ture in 1835, and continued a member of that body 
during the years 1836 and 1837. While he held this 
office, the general banking law of the State was enact- 
ed, and went into operation. After mature delibera- 
tion, he became convinced that the proposed system 
of banking could not prove beneficial to the public 
interests ; and that, instead of relieving the people 
from the pecuniary difficulties under which they were 
laboring, it would result in still further embarrass- 
ment. He, therefore, Opposed the bill, and pointed 
out to the House the disasters which, in his opinion, 
were sure to follow its passage. The public mind, 
however, was so favorably impressed by the measure 
that no other member, in either branch of the Legisla- 
ture, raised a dissenting voice, and but two voted with 
him in opposition to the bill. Early in 1838, he was 
appointed one of the Bank Commissioners of the 
State, and held that office for moie than a year. Dur- 
ing this time, the new banking law had given birth to 
that numerous progeny known as "wild-cat" banks. 
Almost every village had its bank. The country was 
flooded with depressed "wild-cat" money. The ex- 
aminations of the Bank Commissioners brought to 
lit;ht frauds at every jwint, which were fearlessly re- 



ii8 



ALFHEUS FELCH. 



ported to the Legislature, and were followed by crim- 
inal prosecutions of the guilty parties, and the closing 
of many of their institutions. The duties of the of- 
fice were most laborious, and in 1839 Mr. Felch re- 
signed. The chartered right of almost every bank 
had, in the meantime, been declared forfeited and 
the law repealed. It was subsequently decided to 
be constitutional by the Supreme Court of the State. 
In the year 1842 Governor Felch was appointed 
to the office of Auditor General of the State; but 
after holding the office only a few weeks, was com- 
missioned by the Governor as one of the Judges qf the 
Supreme Court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resig- 
nation of Judge Fletcher. In January, 1843, he was 
elected to the United States Senate for an unexpired 
term. In 1845 he was elected Governor of Michigan, 
and entered upon his duties at the commencement of 
the next year. In 1847 ^''^ ^^^ elected a Senator 
in Congress for six years; and at once retired from 
the office of Governor, by resignation, which took 
effect March 4, 1847, when his Senatorial term com- 
menced. While a member of the Senate he acted on 
the Committee on Public Lands, and for four years 
was its Chairman. He filled the honorable position 
of Senator with becoming dignity, and with great 
credit to the State of Michigan. 

During Governor Felch's administration the two 
railroads belonging to the State were sold to private 
corporations, — the Central for $2,000,000, and the 
Southern for $500,000. The exports of the State 
amounted in 1846 to $4,647,608. The total capacity 
of vessels enrolled in the collection district at Detroit 
was 26,928 tons, the steam vessels having 8,400 and 
the sailing vessels 18,528 tons, the whole giving em- 
ployment to 18,000 seamen. In 1847, there were 39 
counties in the State, containing 435 townships ; and 
275 of these townships were supplied with good libra- 
ries, containing an aggregate of 37,000 volumes. 

At the close of his Senatorial term, in March, 1853, 
Mr. Felch was appointed, by President Pierce, one of 
the Commissioners to adjust and settle the Spanish 



and Mexican land claims in California, under the 

treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo, and an act of Congress 
passed for that purix>se. He went to California in 
May, 1853, and was made President of the Commis- 
sion. The duties of this office were of the most im- 
portant and delicate character. Thfc interest of the 
new State, and the fortunes of many of its citizens, 
both the native Mexican population and the recent 
American immigration ; the right of the Pueblos to 
their common lands, and of the Catholic Church to 
the lands of the Missions, — ^the most valuable of the 
State, — wereinvolved in the adjudicationsof this Com- 
mission. In March, 1856, their labors were brought 
to a close by the final disposition of all the claims 
which were presented. The record of their proceed- 
ings, — the testimony which was given in each case, 
and the decision of the Commissioners thereon, — 
consisting of some forty large volumes, was deposited 
in the Department of the Interior at Washington. 

In June of that year. Governor Felch returned to 
.\nn Arbor, where he has since been engaged piinci- 
pally in legal business. Since his return he has 
been nominated for Governor and also for U. S. Sen- 
ator, and twice for Judge of the Supreme Court. But 
the Democratic party, to which he has always been 
attached, being in the minority, he failed of an elec- 
tion. In 1873 he withdrew from the active practice 
of law, and, with the exception of a tour in Europe, 
in 1875 has since led a life of retirement at his home 
in Ann Arbor. In 1877 the University of Michigan 
conferred uix)n him the degree of LL. I). For 
many years he was one of the Regents of Michigan 
University, and in the spring of 1879 was appointed 
Tajjpan Professor of Law in the same. Mr. Felch is 
the oldest surviving member of the Legislature from 
Monroe Co., the oldest and only surviving Bank Com- 
missioner of the State, the oldest surviving Auditor 
General of the State, the oldest surviving Governor of 
the State, the oldest surviving Judge of the Supreme 
Court of Michigan, and the oldest surviving United 
States Senator from the State of Mirliiuan. 



GO VERNORS. 





II.LIAM L. GREENLY 
jCiovenior of Michigan for the 
year 1847, was born at Hamil- 
ton, jNIadison Co., N. Y., Sejit. 
18,1813. He graduated at Un- 
ion College, Schenectady, in 
1831, studied law and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1834, In 
1836, having removed to Michi- 
gan, he settled in Adrian, where 
he has since resided. The year 
following his arrival in Michigan 
he was elected State Senator and 
served in that capacity until 1839. 
In 1845 he was elected Lieut. Gov- 
ernor and became acting Governor 
by the resignation of Gov. Felch, 
who was elected to the United 
States Senate. 

The war with Mexico was brought 
to a successful termination during Gov. Greenly 's 
administration. We regret to say that there are only 
few records extant of the action of Michigan troops 
in the Mexican war. That many went there and 
fought well are points conceded ; but their names and 
nativity are hidden away in United States archives 



and where it is almost impossible to find them. 

The soldiers of this State deserve much of the 
credit of the memorable achievements of Co. K, 3d 
Dragoons, and Cos. A, li, and G of the U. S. Inf 
The two former of these companies, recruited in this 
State, were reduced lo one-third their original num- 
ber. 

In May, 1846, the Governor of Michigan was noti- 
fied by the War Department of the United States to 
enroll a regiment of volunteers, to be held in readi- 
ness for service whciiever demanded. At his sum- 
mons 13 independent volunteer companies, 1 1 of 
infantry and two of cavalry, at once fell into line. Of 
the infantry four companies were from Detroit, bear- 
ing the honored names of Montgomery, Lafayette, 
Scott and Brady upon their banners. Of the re- 
mainder Monroe tendered two, Lenawee County three, 
St. Clair, Berrien and Hillsdale each one, and Wayne 
County an additional company. Of these alone the 
veteran Bradys were accepted and ordered into ser- 
vice. In addition to them ten companies, making the 
First Regiment of iSIichigan Vohmteers, springing 
from various parts of the State, but embodying to a 
great degree the material of which the first volunteers 
was formed, were not called for until October follow- 
ing. Tills regiment was soon in readiness and pro- 
ceeded bv orders from Government to the seat of war. 







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GO VEMNORS. 




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HE HON. EPAPHRODI- 
TUS RANSOM, the Seventh 
Governor of Michigan, was a 
native of Massachusetts. In 
that State he received a col- 
legiate education, studied hiw, 
and was admitted to tlie bar. 
Removing to Michigan about 
the time of its admission to the 
Union, he took up his residence 
at Kalamazoo. 

Mr. Ransom served with marked 
aijility for a number of years in the 
State Legislature, and in 1837 he was appointed As- 
sociate Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1843 he 
was promoted to Chief Justice, which office he re- 
tained until 1845, when he resigned. 

Shortly afterwards he became deeply interested in 
the building of plank roads in the western portion of 
the State, and in this business lost the greater portion 
of the property which he had accumulated by years 
of toil and industry. 

Mr. Ransom became Governor of the State of 
Michigan in the fall of 1847, and served during one 
term, performing the duties of the office in a truly 
statesmanlike manner. He subsequently became 
President of the Michigan Agricultural Society, in 
which position he displayed the same abiU'^y that 



shone forth so prominently in his acts as GovernoT. 
He held the office of Regent of the Michigan Univer- 
sity several times, and ever advocated a liberal policy 
in its management. 

Subsequently he was aiipointed receiver uf tht 
kind office in one of the districts in Kansas, by Pres- 
ident Buchanan, to which State he had removed, and 
where he died before the expiration of his ttrm of 
office. 

We sum up the events and affairs of the State un- 
der Gov. Ransom's administration as follows: The 
.\sylum for the Insane was establised, as also the 
Asylum for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind. Both of 
these institutes were liberally endowed with lands, 
and each of them placed in charge of a board of five 
trustees. The appropriation in 1849 for the deaf and 
dumb and blind amoiuited to l|8i,5oo. On the first 
of March, 1848, the first telegraph line was com- 
pleted from New York to Detroit, and the first dis- 
patch transmitted on that day. The foUowmg figures 
show the progress in agriculture : The land reported 
as under cultivation in 1848 was 1,437,460 acres; of 
wheat there were produced 4,749,300 bushels; other 
grains, 8,197,767 bushels; wool, 1,645,756 pounds;- 
maple sugar, 1,774,369 pounds; horses, 52,305; cat- 
tle, 210,268; swine, i52,54r; sheep, 610,534; while 
the flour mills numbered 228, and the lumber mills 
amounted to 730. 1847, an act was passed removing 
the Legislature from Detroit to Lansing, and tempo- 
rary buildings for the use of the Legislature were im- 
mediately erected, at a cost of $12,450. 









/i^Acyp-t^y'-^ 



GOVERNORS OF MJCHJGAN. 



129 








t-aflJ^lL 



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OBERT McClelland, 

IjCiovernor of Michigan from 
Jan. I, 185 2, 10 March 8, 1853, 
was born at Greencastle, Frank- 
^^^ lin Co., Penn., Aug. i, 1807. 
Among his ancestors were several 
officers of rank in llie Revolution- 
ary war,and someof his family con- 
nections were distinguished in the 
war of 1812, and that with Mexico. 
His father was an eminent physician 
and surgeon who studied under Dr. 
Benj. Rush, of Philadelphia, and 
practiced his profession successfully 
until si.K months before his death, at 
the age of 84 years. .Mthough Mr. 
McClelland's family had been in good circum- 
stances, when he was 17 years old he was thrown 
::pon jiis own resources. After taking the usual pre- 
h:;'.inary studies, and teaching school to obtain the 
means, lie entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle, 
Penn , from which he graduated among the first in 
his class, in 1829. He then resumed teaching, and 
li.ivi.ig completed the course of study for the legal 
pofession, was admitted lo the bar at Chambersburg, 
Penn., in 1831. Soon afterward he removed to the 
city of Pittsburgh, where he practiced for almost a 
year. 

In 1833, Mr. McClelland removed to Monroe, in 




the Territory of Michigan, where, after a severe ex- 
amination, he became a member of the bar of Michi- 
gan, and engaged in practice witli bright prospect of 
success. In 1835, a convention was called to frame 
a constitution for the proiX)sed State of Michigan, of 
which Mr. McClelland was elected a member. He 
took a prominent part in its deliberations and ranked 
among its ablest debaters. He was ap[X)inted the 
first Bank Commissioner of the State, by Gov. Mason, 
and received an offer of the Attorney Generalship, but 
declined both of these offices in order to attend lo his 
professional duties. 

In 1838, Mr. McClelland was elected to the State 
Legislature, in which lie soon became distinguished 
as the head of several iraixirtant committees. Speaker 
pro tempore, and as an active, zealous and efficient 
member. In 1840, Gen. Harrison, as a candidate for 
the Presidency, swept the country with an overwhelm- 
ing majority, and at tiie same time the State of Michi- 
gan was carried by the Whigs under the popular cry 
of " Woodbridge and reform " against the Democratic 
party. At this time Mr. McClelland stood among the 
acknowledged leaders of tiie latter organization ; was 
elected a member of the State House of Representa- 
tives, and with others adopted a plan to regain a lost 
authority and jirestige. 

This party soon came again into jxjwer in the State, 
and having been returned to the State Legislature M/. 
McClelland's leadership was acknowledged l<y his 
election as Speaker of the Ho\ise of Representatives 



ROBERT McClelland. 



ill 1843. Down to this time Micliigan liad consti- 
tuted one congressional district. The hxtcHon. Jacob 
M. Howard had been elected agauist Hon. Alpheiis 
Felch by a strong majority ; but, in 1 843, so tiioroiighly 
!iad the Democratic |)arty recovered from its defeat 
of 1840 that Mr. McClelland, as a candidate for Con- 
gress, carried Detroit district by a majority of about 
2,5(.o. Mr. McClelland soon took a prominent po?i 
tiop. in Congress among the veteians of that body. 
Duiing his first terra he was placed on Committee on 
Co/r.meice, and organized and carried through what 
were known as the "Harbor bills." The continued 
confidenceof his constituency was manifested in his 
election to the 29th Congress. At the opening of this 
session he had acquired a National reputation, and so 
-r.vorably was he known as a pailimentarian that his 
name was n entioned for Speaker of the House of Rep- 
jesentatives. He declined t'e offer in favor of J. W. 
Davis, of -Indiana, who was elected. During this term 
he became Chairman of Committee on Commerce, in 
which position his leports and advocacy of important 
measures at once attracted public attention. The 
members of this committee, as an evidence of the es- 
teem in v/hich they held his services and of their 
personal regard for liim, presented him with a cane 
''inch he retains as a souvenir of the donors, and of 
hiS labors in Congress. 

In 1847, ^Ir McClelland was re-elected to Con- 
gress, and at the opening of the 30th Congress be- 
came, a member of the Committee on Fore gn Rela- 
tions. While acting in this capacity, what was known 
.'.-: the " French Spoliation Bill" came under his spe- 
cial charge, and his management of the same was such 
as to command universal approbation. While in 
Congress, Mr. McClelland was an advocate of the 
"ght of petition as maintained by John Q. Adams, 
■vi^er the petition, was clothed in decorous language 
.la presented in the ])roper manner. This he re- 
ii irded as the citizensconstitutional right which should 
i:ot be impaired by any doctrines of temiwrarv e.\pe. 
iiency. He also voted for the adoption of M'r. Gid- 
amgs's bill for the abolishing of slaverv in the District 
of Co'umbi' Mr McClelland was oiie of the few 
Democr?ts associated with David Wilraot, of Penn- 
-->lvar.la in bringing forward the celebrated "Wilmot 
i rovisc, ■ with a view to prevent further e.xtension of 
slavery ;i. new territory which might be acquired by 
he United States. He and Mr Wibnot were to- 
gether at the time in Washington, and on intimate 
:.nd confidential terms. Mr. McClelland was in sev- 
eral National conventions and in the Baltimore con- 
vention, which nominated Gen. Cass for President 
:.'! 1848. doing valiant service that year for "-he elec- 
tion cf ;hat distinguished statesman. On leaving 
Congress, in 1848, Mr. McClelhind returned to the 
practice of his profession at Monroe. In 1850 a 
convention of the State of Michigan was called to 
revise the State constitution He was elected a 



member and was regarded therein as among the ablest 
and most experienced leaders His clear judgment 
and wise moderation were conspicuous, both m the 
committee room and on the floor in debate. In i8i;'o 
he was President of the Democratic State convention 
which adopted resolutions in supix)rt of Henry Clay., 
famous compromise measures of which Mr McClel 
land was a strong advocate. He was a member of 
the Democratic National convention in 1852 and m 
that year, in company with Gen Cass and Governor 
l-elch, he made a thorough canvass of th- State 
He continued earnestly to advocate the Cfay com 
promise measures, and took an active part in the 
canvass which resulted in the election of Gen. Pierce 
to the Presidency 

In 185 t, the new Stats constitution took effect an>-l 
It was necessary that a Governox should be elected 
for one year in order to prevent an interregnum, and 
to bring the State Government into opera t - indei 
tlie new constitution, Mr. McClelland was elected 
Governor, and in the fall of 1852 was re-elected for 
a term of two years, from Jan, r, 1853. His admir- 
istration was regarded as wise, prudent and concilia- 
tory, and was as popular as could be expected at a 
time when party spirit ran high. There was really 
no opposition, and when he resigned, in March rS^ct 
the State Treasury was well filled, and the' State 
otherwise prosperous So widely and favorably hac 
ivjr. McClelland become known as a statesman that or 
the organization of thecabir.et by Pr. .^ident Pierce, in 
March, 1853, he was made Secretary of the Interior, i-i 
which capacity he served most creditably during fou/ 
years of the Pierce administration. He thoroughly 
re-oraamzed his department and reduced theexpend'- 
iture.. He adopted a course with the Indians which 
relieved them from the impositions and annoyances 
of the traders, and produced harmony and civilizatior 
among them. During his administration there was 
neither complaint from the tribes nor corruption amone 
agents, and he left the department in perfect ordei 
and system In 1867, Michigan again called a con 
vention to revise the State constitution \\x McClel 
land was a member and here again his lon.^ expen 
ence made him conspicuous as a prudent adviser a 
sagacious parliamentary leader. As a lawyer he wa= 
terse and pointed in argument, clear, candid and im 
pressive m his addresses to the jury. His sincerity 
and earnestness, with which was occasionally mingled 
a pleasant humor, made him an al)le and effective 
advocate In speaking before the people on political 
subjects he was especially forcible and happy In 
1870 he made the tour of Europe, which, through his 
extensive personal acquaintance with European dip- 
lomates, he was enabled to enjoy much more than 
most travelers 

^ Mr. McClelland married, in 1S37, Miss Sarah 
E. Sabin, of Williamstown, Mass. They have had 
six children two of whom now survive. 



GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



133 




^^^f§M 



ANDREW PARlONi. 



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NDREW PARSONS, (lover- 
nor of Micliigan from Marcli 
8, 1853 to Jan. 3, (85s, was 
born in the town of Hoosick, 
County of Rensselaer, and 
State of New V'ork, on the 22d 
day of July, 1817, and died June 
6, 1855, at llie early age of 38 
years. He was the son of John 
Parsons, horn at Newburyport, 
[Mass., Oct. 2, 1782, and who was the 
sen of Andrew Parsons, a Revolutionary 
soldier, who was the son of Phineas 
Parsons, the son of Samuel Parsons, 
a descendant of Walter Parsons, liorn 
in Ireland in 1290. 
( 'f ilii, n.inie and family, some one hundred and 
ihiri\ \eais ago, Bisliop (lilson remarked in his edi- 
lio I of Camden s Br'tanaia: "The honorable family 
of {'arsons have been advanced to the dignity tjf 
\'iS( oar,!s ai d more lately Earls of Ross." 

I he ft^llowing are descendants of these families: 
S r Joiin l',ir-.ons, born i48[,was Mayor of Hereford; 
Robert Parsons born in 1546, lived near Bridgewater, 
Kngland. He was educated at Bailial College, Ox- 
foid, and was a noted writer and defender of the 
Romisli faith. He established an English College at 
Rome and another at Valladolia. Frances Parsons, 
iKjrn in 1556, was Vicar of Rothwell, in Notingham; 
Bartholomew Parsons, born in 161 8, was another 
noted member of the family. In 1634, Thomas Parsons 
was knighted by Charles r. Joseph and Benjamin, 
brothers, were born in Great Torrington, Paigland, 



and accompanied their father and others to New 
England about 1630. Samuel Parsons, born at Salis- 
bury, Mass., in 1707, graduated at Harvard College in 
1730, ordained at Rye, N. H.,Nov. 3, 1736, married 
Mary Jones, daughter of Samuel Jones, of Bostoi , 
Oct. 9, 1739, died Jan. 4, 1789, at the age of 82, in 
the 53rd year of his ministry. The grandfather of Maty 
Jones was Capt. John Adams, of Boston, grandson 
of Henry, of Braintree, who was among the first set- 
tlers of Massachusetts, and from whom a numerous 
race of the name are descended, including two Presi- 
dents of the United States. The Parsons have be- 
come very numerous and are found throughout New 
England, and many of the descedants are scattered 
in all parts of the United States, and especially in 
the Middle and Western States. Governor Andrew 
Parsons came to Michigan in 1835, at the age of 17 
years, and spent the first summer at Lower Ann 
Arbor, where for a few months he taught school which 
he was compelled to abandon from ill health 

He was one of the large number of men of sterling 
worth, who came from the East to Michigan when it 
was an infant State, or, even prior to its assuming 
the dignity of a State, and who, by their wisdom, 
enterprise and energy, have developed its wonderful 
natural resources, until to-day it ranks with the proud- 
est States of the Union. These brave men came to 
Michigan with nothing to aid them in the conquest 
of the wilderness save courageous hearts and strong 
and willing hands. They gloriously conquered, how- 
ever, and to them is due all honor for the labors 
so nobly performed, for the solid and sure foundation 
which they laid of a great Commonwealth. 



ANDREW PARSONS 



la tlie fall of 1835, he explored the Grand River 
\':illey ill a frail canoe, the whole length of the river, 
fioni Jackson to Lake Michigan, and spent the following 
"iiiicr as clerk in a store at Prairie Creek, in Ionia, 
Cii.uUy, and in the spring wenj to Marshall, where he 
resided with his brother, the Hon. Luke H. Parsons, 
also now deceased, until fall, when he went to Shia- 
wasseCounly,then with Clinton County, andan almost 
unbroken wilderness and constituting one organized 
township. In 1S37 this territory was organized into 
a county and, at the age of only 19 years, he (.An- 
drew) was elected County Clerk. In 1840, he was 
elected Register of Deeds, re-elected in 1842, and 
also in 1844. In 1846, he was elected to the State 
Senate, was appointed Prosecuting Attorney in 1848, 
and e'.ected Regent of the University in 185 i, and 
Lieutenant Governor, and became acting Governor, 
iri 1853, elected again to the Legislature in 1854, and, 
overcome by debilitated health, hard lalior and the 
responsibilities of his office and cares of his business, 
reiircd to his farm, where he died soon after. 

He was a fluent and persuasive speaker and well 
calc.iLited to make friends of his acquantances. He 
was always true to his trust, and the whole world 
co.ild not persuade nor drive him to do what he con- 
ceived to be wrong. When Governor, a most power- 
ful railroad influence was brought to bear upon him, 
to induce him to call an extra session of the Legisla- 
ture. -Meetings were held in all parts of the State 
for that purpose. In some sections the resolutions 
were of a laudatory nature, intending to make him do 
their bidding l>y resort to friendly and flattering words. 
In other places the resolutions were of a demanding 
nature, while in others they were threatening 1 eyond 
measure. Fearing that all these influences might 
'"ail to induce him to call the extra session, a large 
sum of money was sent him, and liberal offers ten- 
dered him if he would gratify the railroad interest of 
the State and call the extra session, but, immovable, 
he returned the money and refused to receive 
any favois, whether from any paity who would at- 
tempt to coiru'-t 'lim by laudations, liberal offers, or 



liy threats, and in a short letter to the people, after 
giving overwhelming reasons that no sensible man 
could dispute, showing the circumstances were not 
"extraordinary," lie refused to call the extra ses>ion. 
This brought down the wrath of various parties upon 
his head, but they were soon forced to acknowledge 
the wisdom and the justice of his course. One oi 
his greatest enemies said, after a long acquaintance: 
"though not always coinciding with his views I never 
doubted his honesty of purpose. He at all times 
sought to perform his duties in strict accordance, 
with the dictates of Ins conscience, and the behests 
of his oath." The following eulogium from a [wlitcalop- 
jionent is just in its conception and creditable to its 
author: "Gov. Parsons was a [wlitician of the Dem- 
ocratic school, a man of pure moral chara( ter, fixed 
and exemplary habits, and entirely blameless in every 
public and private relation of life. As a i«litician he 
was candid, frank and tree from bitterness, as an ex- 
ecutive officer firm, constant and reliable." 'I'he 
highest commendations we can pay the deceased is 
to give his just record, — that of being an honest man. 
In the spring of 1854, during the administration of 
Governor Parsons, the Republican party, at least 
as a State organization, was first formed in the Cnited 
States "under the oaks" at Jackson, by anti-slavery 
men of both the old parties. Great e.xcitement pre- 
vailed at this lime, occasioned by the settling of 
Kansas, and the issue thereby brought u]), whether 
slavery should exist tiiere. For the |)urpo^eof permit- 
ting slavery there, the " Missouri compromise" (whic'i 
limited slavery to the south of 36" 30') was re- 
repealed, under the leadership of Stephen A, Douglas. 
This was repealed by a bill admitting Kansas and 
Nebraska into the Union, as Territories, and those who 
were opposed to this repeal measure were in short 
called " anti-!\ebraska " men. The epithets, "Ne- 
braska" and "anti-Nebraska," were temporally em- 
ployed to designate the slavery and anti-slavery 
parties, pending the desolution of the old Dernccriiiic 
and Whig parties :ind the organization of the new 
Democratic and Republican i)arlies of the jjresent. 



GOVERNORS OF MJCHIGAN. 



137 




KiNSLRY ©. BiNQHAM. 





INSLEY S. BINGHAM, 
(jovernor of Michigan from 
185s to 1859, and United 
states Senator, was born in 
( amilUis, Onondaga County, 
\. Y., Dec. 16, 1808. His 
fither was a farmer, and his own 
t irly life was consequently de- 
voted to agricultural pursuits, Inil 
notwithstanding the disadvan- 
tages related to the acquisition 
of knowledge in the life of a farmer 
he m maged to secure a good aca- 
demic education in his native State 
and studied law in the office of 
Gen. James R. Lawrence, now of 
Syracuse, N. Y. In the spring of 
1833, he married an estimable lady 
who had recently arrived from Scot- 
land, and obeying the impulse of a 
naturally enterprising disposition, 
he emigrated to Michigan and 
purchased a new farm in company 
with his brother-in-law, Mr. Robert 
^Vo^den, in Green Oak, Livingston County. Here, on 
the border of civilization, buried in the primeval for- 
est, our late student commenced the ardious task of 
preparing a future home, clcnnng and fencing, put- 
ting: up buildings, etc., at .>iu li .1 rate tliat the land 



chosen was soon reduced to a high state of cultivation. 

Becoming deservedly prominent, Mr. Bingham was 
elected to the office of Justice of the Peace and Post- 
master under the Territorial government, and was the 
first Probate Judge in the county. In the year 1836. 
when Michigan 1 ecame a State, he was elected to the 
first Legislature. He was four times re-elected, and 
Speaker of the House of Representatives three years. 
In 1846 he was elected on the Democratic ticket. Rep- 
resentative to Congress, and was the only practical 
farmer in that body. He was never forgetful of the 
interest of agriculture, and was in particular opjxised 
to the introduction of " Wood's Patent Cast Iron 
Plow " which he completely prevented. He was re- 
elected to Congress in 1848, during which time he 
strongly opposed the extension of slavery in the 
territory of the United States and was committed to 
and voted for the Wilmot Proviso. 

In 1854, at the first organization of the Republican 
party, in consequence of his record in Congress as a 
Free Soil Democrat, Mr. Bingham was nominated 
and elected Governor of the State, and re-elected in 
1856. Still faithful to the memory of his own forniei 
occupation, he did not forget the farmers during his 
administration, and among other profits of his zeal in 
their behalf, he became mainly instrumental in the 
establishment of the Agricultural College at Lansing. 

In 1859, Governor Bingham was elerted Senator in 
Congress and took an active part in the slormv cam- 
piign in the election of Abraham Lincoln He wit- 



'38 



KINSLEY S. BINGHAM. 



nessed the commencement of the civil war while a 
member of the United States Senate. After a com- 
paiativelv short life of remarkable promise and pub- 
lic activity he was attacked with appoplexy and died 
suddenly at his residence, in Green Oak, Oct. 5, 1861. 
The most noticable event in Governor Bingham's 
first term was the completion of the ship canal, at the 
Falls of St. Mary. In 1852, Angust 26, an act of 
Congress was approved, granting to the State of Mich- 
igan seven hundred and fifty thousand acres of land 
for the purpose of constructing a ship canal between 
Lakes Huron and Superior. In 1853, the Legislature 
accepted the grant, and provided tor the appointment 
of commissioners to select the donated lands, and to 
arrange for building the canal. A company of enter- 
prising men was formed, and a contract was entered 
into by which it was arranged that the canal should 
be finished in two years, and the work was pushed 
rapidly forward. Every article of consumption, ma- 
chinery, working implements and materials, timber 
for the gates, stones for the locks, as well as men and 
supplies, had to be transported to the site of the canal 
from Detroit, Cleveland, and other lake ports. The 
rapids which had to be surmounted have a fall of 
seventeen feet and are about one mile long. The 
length of the canal is less than one mile, its width one 
hundred feet, depth twelve feet and it has two locks 
of solid masonary. In May, 1855, the work was com- 
pleted, accepted by the commissioners, and formally 
delivered to the State authorities. 

Tlie disbursements on account of tlie construction 
of the canal and selecting the lands amounted to one 
million of dollars ; while the lands which were as- 
signed to the company, and selected through the 
agency at the Sault, as well as certain lands in the 
Upper and Lower Peninsulas, filled to an acre the 
Government grant. The opening of the canal was 
an important event in the history of the improvement 
of the State. It was a valuable link in the chain of 
lake commerce, and particularly imix)rtant to the 
interests of the Upper Peninsula. 

There were several educational, charitable and re- 
formatory institutions inaugurated and opened during 
Gov. Bingham's administrations. The Michigan Ag- 
ricultural College owes its establishment to a provision 
of the State Constitution of 1850. Article 13 says, 
" The Legislature shall, as soon as practicable, pro- 
vide for the establishment of an agricultural school." 
For the purpose of carding into practice this provision, 
legislation was commenced in 1S55, and ihe act re- 
quired that the school should be within ten miles of 
Lansing, and that not more than §t5 an acre should 
be paid for the farm and college grounds. The col- 
lege was oi)ened to students in May, 1857, the firstof 
existing argricultural colleges in the United States 
Until the spring of i86i,it was under the control 
of the State Board of Education; since that time it 
has been under the management of the State Board 



of Agriculture, which was created for that purpose. 

In its essential features, of combining study and 
labor, and of uniting general and professional studies 
in its course, the college has remained virtually un- 
changed from the first. It lias a steady growth in 
number of students, in means of illustration and 
efticiency of instruction. 

Tlie Agricultural College is three miles east of 
Lansing, comprising several fine buildings; and there 
are also very beautiful, substantial residences for the 
professors. There are also an extensive, well-filled 
green-house, a very large and well-equipped chemical 
laboratory, one of the most scientific apiaries in the 
United States, a general museum, a meseum of me- 
chanical inventions, another of vegetable products, 
extensive barns, piggeries, etc., etc., in fine trim for 
the purposes designed. The farm consists of 676 
acres, of which about 300 are under cultivation in a 
systematic rotation of crops. 

Adrian College was established by the. Wesleyan 
Methodists in 1859, now under the control of the 
Methodist Church. The grounds contain about 20 
acres. There are four buildings, capable of accom- 
modating about 225 students. Attendance in 1875 
was 179; total number of graduates for previous year, 
121 ; ten professors and teachers are enqjloyed. Ex- 
clusive of the endowment fund (§80,000), the assets 
of the institution, including grounds, buildings, furni- 
ture, apparatus, musical instruments, outlying lands, 
etc., amount to more thar. $137,000. 

Hillsdale College was established in 1855 by the 
Free Baptists. The Michigan Central College, at 
Spring Arbor, was incorporated in 1845 It was kept 
in operation until it was merged into the present 
Hillsdale College. The site comprses 25 acres, 
beautifully situated on an eminence in the western 
part of the city of Hillsdale. The large and impos- 
ing building first erected was nearly destroyed by fire 
in 1874, and in its place five buildings of a more 
modern style have been erected. They are of brick, 
three stories with basement, arranged on three sides 
of a quadrangle. The size is, respectively, 80 by 80, 
48 by 72, 48 by 72, 80 by 60, 52 by 72, and they con- 
tain one-half more room than the original buildmg. 

■ The State Reform School. This was established 
at Lansing in 1855, in the northeastern portion of the 
city, as the House of Correction for Juvenile Of- 
fenders, having about it many of the features of a 
prison. In 1859 the name was changed to the State 
Reform School. The government and dicipline, have 
undergone many and radical changes, until all the 
prison features have been removed except those that 
remain in the walls of the original structure, and 
which remain only as monuments of instructive his- 
tory. No bolts, bars or guards are employed. The 
inmates are necessarily kept under the surveillance of 
officers, Init the attempts at escape are much fewer 
than under the more rigid repmc of former days. 





o-gJ^^ "hrry^ 



GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



141 




MiSii Wffilil, 





OSES WISNER. Governor uf 
^Michigan from 1859 to 1861, 
"was born in Springport, Cayu- 
ga Co., N Y., June 3, 1815. 
His earl) education was only 
'"^ what could be obtained at a 
s common school. Agricultural labor 
and frugality of his parents gave 
him a physical constitution of unus- 
ual strength and endurance, which 
(was ever preserved by temperate hab- 
In 1837 he emigrated to Michi- 
fi''^ gan and purchased a farm in Lapeer 
County It was new land and he at 
once set to woik to clear it and plant 
crops. He labored diligently at his 
task for two years, when he gave up 
the idea of being a farmer, and removed to Pontiac, 
< )akland Co. Here he commenced the study of law 
in the office of his brother, George VV. Wisner, and 
Rufus Hosmer. In 1841 he was admitted to the bar 
and established himself in his new vocation at the 
village of Lapeer. While there he was apppointed 
by Gov. Woodbridge Prosecuting Attorney for that 
county, in which capacity he acquitted himself well 
and gave promise of that eminence he afterward at- 
tained in the profession. He remained at Lapeer but 
a short time, removing to Pontiac, where he became 
a member of a firm and entered fully upon the 
practice. 

In politics he was like his talented brother, a Whig 
r;' the Henry Clay stamp, but with a decided anti- 
slavery bias. His practice iH^roniii'f extensive, be 



took little part in politics until after the election of 
Mr. Pierce to the Presidency in 1852, when he took an 
active part against slavery. As a lawyer he was a 
man of great ability, but relied less upon mere book 
learning than upon his native good sense. Liberal 
and courteous, was he yet devoted to the interest of 
his client, and no facts escaped his attention or his 
memory which bore upon the case. He was no friend 
of trickery or artifice in conducting a case As an ad- 
vocate he had few equals. When fully aroused by the 
merits of his subject his eloquence was at once grace- 
ful and powerful. His fancies supplied the most 
original, the most ix)inted illustrarions, and his logic 
became a battling giant under whose heavy blows the 
adversary shrank and withered. Nature had be- 
stowed upon him rare qualities, and his powers as a 
popular orator were of a high order. 

On the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 
1854, repealing the Missouri compromise andoi;ening 
the Territories to slavery, he was among the foremost 
in Michigan to denounce tiie shamful scheme. He 
actively participated in organuing and consolidating 
the elements opposed to it in that State, and was a 
member of the popular gathering at Jackson, in July, 
1854, which was the first formal Republican Conven 
tion held in the United States. At this meeting th-e 
name " Republican " was adopted as a designation of 
the new party consisting of Anti-slavery, Wliigs, 
Liberty men. Free .Soil Democrats and all others op- 
posed to the extension of slavery and favorable to its 
expulsion from the Territories and the District of 
Columbia. At this convention Mr. ^V. was urged to 
nrrerit the nomination for .Xtiorncv Geneial of the 



142 



MOS£S WISNF.R. 



State, but declined. An entire State ticket was nom- 
inated and at the annual election in November was 
elected by an average majority of nearly 10,000. 
Mr. W. was enthusiastic in the cause and brought to 
its supix)rt all his personal influence and talents. In 
his views he was bold and radical. He believed from 
the beginning that the political power of the slave- 
holders would have to be overthrown before quiet 
could be secured to the country. In the Presidential 
canvass of 1856 he supported the Fremont, or Re- 
publican, ticket. At the session of the Legislature of 
1857 he was a candidate for United States Senator, 
and as such received a very handsome support. 

In 1858, he was nominated for Governor of tlie 
State by the Republican convention that met at De- 
troit, and at the subsequent November election was 
chosen by a very large majority. Before the day of 
the election he had addressed the people of almost 
every county and liis majority was greater even than 
that of his popular predecessor, Hon. K. S. Bingham. 
He served as Governor two years, from Jan. i, 1859, 
io Jan. I, i86i. His first message to the Legislature 
was an able and statesman-like production, and was 
read with usual favor. It showed that lie was awake 
to all the interests of the State and set forth an en- 
lightened State policy, that had its view of the rapid 
settlement of our uncultivated lands and the devel- 
opment of our immense agricultural and mineral re- 
sources. It was a document that reflected llie highest 
credit \\\ia\\ the author. 

His term having expired Jan. i, 1861, he returned 
;o his home in Pontiac, and to the practice of his 
profession. There were those in the State who 
counselled the sending of delegates to the peace con- 
ference at Washington, but Mr. W. was opposed to all 
such temixDrizing expedients. His counsel was to 
send no delegate, but to prepare to fight. 

After Congress had met and passed the necessary 
.egislation he resoUed to take part in the war. In 
the spring and summer of 1862 he set to work to 
raise a regiment of infantry, chiefly in Oakland 
County, where he resided. His regiment, the 2 2d 
Michigan, was armed and equipped and ready to 
march in September, a regiment whose solid quali- 
ties were afterwards proven on many a bloody field. 
Col. W's. commission bore the date of Sept. 8, 1862. 
Before parting with his family he made his will. His 
regiment was sent to Kentucky and quartered at 



Camp Wallace. He had at the breaking out of the 
war turned his attention to military studies and be- 
came proficient in the ordinary rules and discipline. 
His entire attention was now devoted to his duties. 
His treatment of his men was kind, though his disci- 
pline was rigid. He possessed in an eminent degree 
the spirit of command, and had he lived he would 
no doubt have distinguished himself as a good 
officer. He was impatient of delay and chafed at 
being kept in Kentucky wnere there was so little 
prospect of getting at the enemy. But life in camp, 
so different from the one he had been leading, ana 
his incessant labors, coupled with that impatience 
which was so natural and so general among the vol- 
unteers in the early part of the war, soon made their 
influence felt upon his health. He was seized with 
typhoid fever and removed to a private house near 
Lexington. Every care which medical skill or the 
hand of friendship could bestow was rendered him. 
In the delirious wanderings of his mind he was dis- 
ciplining his men and urging them to be prepared for 
an encounter with the enemy, enlarging upon the jus- 
tice of their cause and the necessity of their crush- 
ing the Rebellion. But the source of his most poig- 
nant gnet was the prospect of not being able to come 
to a hand-to-hand encounter with the "chivalry." 
He was proud of his regiment, and felt that if it could 
find the enemy it would cover itself with glory, — a 
distinction it afterward obtained, but not until Col W. 
was no more. The malady baffled all medical treat- 
ment, and on the 5th day of Jan., 1863, he breathed 
his last. His remains were removed to Michigan and 
interred in the cemetery at Pontiac, where they rest 
by the side of the brave Gen. Richardson, who re- 
ceived his mortal wound at the battle of Antietam. 
Coi. \V. was no adventurer, although he was doubtless 
ambitious of military renown and would have striven 
for it with characteristic energy. He went to the war 
to defend and uphold the principles he had so much 
at heart. Few men were more familiar tlian he with 
the causes and the underlying principles that led to 
the contest. He left a wife, who was a daughter of 
Gen. C.-C. Hascall, of Flint, and four children to 
mourn his loss. Toward them he ever showed the 
tenderest regard. Next to his duty their love and 
welfare engrossed his thoughts. He was kind, gen- 
erous and brave, and like thousands 01 otheis he 
sleeps the sleep of the martyr for his coantry. 





(L^n^^ 




GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



MS 




.■= »^- t ^iaftsa:^'^ 






f^. 






-^ 



^« 




USTIN BLAlK, Governor 
of Micliigan from Jan. 2, 
__6i, to Jail. 4, 1865, and 
Ivown as the War Governor, is 
and illustration of the benifi- 
cent influence of republican in- 
stitutions, having inherited neith- 
er fortune nor fame. He was born 
in a log cabin at Caroline, Tomp- 
kins Co, N. Y., Feb. 8, 1818. 
His ancestors came from Scot- 
land in the time of George I, and 
for many generations followed the 
^J^ pursuit of agriculture. His father, 
George Blair, settled in Tompkins 
County in 1S09, and felled the trees and erected the 
first cabin in the county. The last 60 of the four- 
scorf" and four years of his life were spent on that 
spot. He married RhodaBlackman, who now sleeps 
with hini in the soil of the old .homestead. The first 
17 years of his life were spent there, rendering his 
father what aid he could upon the f;irm. He then 
spent a year and a half in Cazenovia Seminary ])re- 
paring for college ; entered Hamilton College, in 
Clinton, prosecuted his studies until the middle of 
the junior year, when, attracted by the fame of Dr. 
Nott, he changed to Union College, from which he 
graduated in the class of 1839. Upon leaving col- 
iCge Mr. Blair read law two years in the office of Sweet 
& Davis, Owego, N Y., and was admitted to ]iractice 
ii, 1641, and the same year moved to Micliigan, locat- 



ing in Jackson. During a temiwrary residence in 
Eaton Rapids, in 1842, he was elected Clerk of Kaion 
County. At the close of the official term he returned .u 
Jackson, and as a Whig, zealously espoused the cause 
of Henry Clay in the campaign of 1844. He was chosen 
Representative to the Legislature in 1845, at which 
session, as a member of the Judiciary Committee, he 
rendered valuable service in the revision of the gen- 
eral statutes ; also made an able report in favor ci 
abolishing the color distinction in relation to the elec- 
tive franchise, and at the same session was active in 
securing the abolition of capital punishment. In 1848 
Mr. Blair refused longer to affiliate with the Whig 
party, because of its lefusial to endorse in convention 
any anti-slavery sentiment. He joined the Free-soil 
movement, and was a delegate to their convention 
which nominated Van Buren for President that year. 
Upon the birth of the Republican party at Jackson, 
in 1854, by the coalition of the Whig and Free-soil 
elements, Mr. Blair was in full sympathy with the 
movement, and acted as a member of ihe Committee 
on Platform. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney 
of T^ickson County in 1852; was chosen State Senator 
two years later, taking his seat with the incoming Re- 
publican administration of 1855, and holding the 
position of pariiamentary leader in the Senate. He 
was a delegate to the National Convention which 
nominated Abraham Lincoln in i860. Mr. Blair 
was elected Governor of Michigan in i860, and re- 
elected in 1862, faithfully and honorably dischargirj; 
t!ie ard'.ous duties of the office during that ino'-.imo- 



146 



A USTIN BLAIR. 



mentous and stormy period of the Nation's life. Gov. 
Blair possessed a clear comprehension of the perilous 
situation from the inception of the Rebellion, and his 
inaugural address foreshadowed the prompt executive 
f)olicy and the administrative ability which charac- 
terized his gubernatorial career. 

Never perhaps in the history of a nation has a 
brighter example been laid down, or a greater sacri- 
fice been made, than that which distinguished Mich- 
igan during the civil war. All, from the " War Gov- 
ernor," down to the poorest citizen of the State, were 
animated with a patriotic ardor at once magnificiently 
sublime and wisely directed. 

Very early in 1861 the coming struggle cast its 
shadow over the Nation. Governor Blair, in his mes- 
sage to the Legislature in January of that year, dwelt 
very forcibly upon the sad prospects of civil war; and 
as forcibly pledged the State to support the principles 
of the Republic. After a review of tlie conditions 
of the State, he passed on to a consideration of the 
relations between the free and slave Stales of the 
Republic, saying: '' While we arecitizensof the State 
of Michigan, and as such deeply devoted to her in- 
terests and honor, we have a still prouder title. We 
are also citizeas of the United States of America. By 
this title we are known among the nations of the earth. 
In remote quarters of the globe, where the names of 
the States are unknown, the flag of the great Republic, 
the banner of the stars and stripes, honor and protect 
her citizens. In whatever concerns the honor, the 
prosperity and the perpetuity of this great Govern- 
ment, we are deeply interested. The people of Mich- 
igan are loyal to that Government — faithful to its con- 
stitution and its laws. Under it they have had peace 
and prosperity ; and under it they mean to abide to 
the end. Feeling a just pride in the glorious history 
of the past, they will not renounce the equally glo- 
rious liopes of the future. But they will rally around 
the standards of the Nation and defend its integrity 
and its constitution, with fidelity." The final para- 
graph being: 

" I recommend you at an early day to make niani- | 



fest to the gentlemen who represent this State in the 
two Houses of Congress, and to the country, that 
Michigan is loyal to the Union, the Constitution, and 
the laws and will defend them to the uttermost ; and 
to proffer to the President of the United States, the 
whole military power of the State for that purpose. 
Oh, for the firm, steady hand of a Washington, or a 
Jackson, to guide the ship of State in this perilous 
storm ! Let us hope that we will find him on the 4th 
of March. Meantime, let us abide in the faith of our 
fathers — ' Liberty and Union, one and inseparable, 
now and forever.' " 

How this stirring apj^eal was responded to by the 
people of Michigan will be seen by the statement 
that the State furnished 88,1 II men during the war. 
Money, men, clothing and food were freely and abun- 
dandy supplied by this State during all these years of 
darkness and blood shed. No State won a brighter 
record for her devotion to our country than the Pen- 
insula State, and to Gov. Blair, more than to any 
other individual is due the credit for its untiring zeal 
and labors in the Nation's behalf, and for the heroism 
manifested in its defense. 

Gov. Blair was elected Representative to the 
Fortieth Congress, and twice re-elected, to the Forty- 
first and Forty-second Congress, from the Third Dis- 
trict of Michigan. While a member of that body he 
was a strong supporter of reconstruction measures, 
and sternly opposed every form of repudiation. His 
speech ujwn the national finances, delivered on the 
floor of the House March 21, 1868, was a clear and 
convincing argument. 'Since his retirement from Con- 
gress, Mr. Blair has been busily occupied witli his e.x- 
tensive law practice. Mr. Blair married Sarah L. 
Ford, of Seneca County N. Y., in February, 1849. 
Their family consists of 4 sons — George H., a postal 
clerk in the railway mail service; Charles A., partner 
with his father; Fred. J. and Austin T., at home. 

Governor Blair's religion is of the broad type, and 
centers in the "Golden Rule." In 1883, Gov. Blair 
was nominated for Justice of the Supreme Court 
of the State by the Reiwblican n.irty, but was defeated. 




o^^fe-*^^ /V {^aJz^r^ 



GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



mi 

m 






HENRY H; CRAPO. 




■^, 




EX R Y HOW LAND C R A P( ), 

f\ (loveinor of MicliiLjaii from 

>)*i865 to 1 86 9, \\\is bom M.iy 

24, 1804, at Dartinoiilli, liris- 

tol Co., Mass., and died at 

Flint, Micii., July 22, 1869. 

He was the eldest son of Je&se 

and Pha-lie (Howland) Crapo. 

His father was of French descent 

and was very poor, sustaining his 

) family liy the cultivation of a farm in 

Dartmouth township, which yielded 

f nothing beyond a mere livelihood. 
His early life was consequently one 
of toil and devoid of advantages for 
j intellectual culture, but his desire for 
an education seemed to know no bounds. The in- 
cessant toil for a mere subsistence upon a compara- 
tively sterile farm, had no charm for him ; and, longing 
for greater usefulness and better things, he looked for 
them in an education. His struggles to secure this 
end necessitated sacrifices and hardships that would 
have discouraged any but the most courageous and 
persevering. He became an ardent student and 
worker from his boyhood, tliough the means of carry- 
ing on his studies were exceedingly limited. He 
sorely felt the need of a dictionary; and, neither having 
aioney wlierewith to purchase it, nor being able to 
IjrocLire one in his m-ighborhood, he set out to compile 
one for himself. In order to acquire a knowledge of 
the English language, he copied into a book every 
word whose meaning he did not comprehend, and 
u;i:)p meeting the same word again in the news|ia|)ers 
;:;iil !i ):ik - wlii -1) • aine into his hands, from the 



context, would then record the definition. Whenever 
unable otherwise to olitain the signification of a word 
in which he had become interested he would walk 
from Dartmouth to New Bedford for tnat pur[)ose 
alone, and after referring to the books at the library 
and satisfying himself thoroughly as to its dennition, 
would walk back, a distance of about seven miles 
the same night. This was no unusual circumstance 
Under such difficulties and in this manner he com ■ 
piled (piite an extensive dictionary in manuscrip' 
which is believed to be still in existence. 

Ever in pursuit of knowledge, he obtained posses- 
sion of a book upon surveying, and applying himself 
diligently to its study became familiar with this art 
which he soon had an opportunity to practice. The 
services of a land surveyor were wanted, and he was 
called upon, but had no compass and no money with 
which to purchase one. A compass, however, he 
must and would have, and going to a blacksmith shop 
near at hand, upon the forge, with such tools as he 
could find in the shop, while the smith was at dinner, 
he constructed the compass and commenced life as a 
surveyor. Still continuing his studies, he fitted him- 
self for teaching, and took charge of the village school 
at Dartmouth. When, in the course of time and un- 
der the pressure of law, a high school was to be 
opened, he passed a successful examination for its 
principalship and received the appointment. To do 
this was no small task. The law required a rigid 
examination in various subjects, which necessitated 
days and nights of study. One evening, after con- 
cluding his days lalior of teacliing, he traveled on foot 
to New Bedford, some seven or eight miles, called 
upon the preceptor of Friend's Academy and passed 



'5° 



HENRY ROWLAND CRAPO. 



a severe examination. Receiving a certificate that 
he was qualified, he walked back to his home the 
same night, highly elated in being possessed of the 
acquirements and requirements of a master of the 
high school. 

In 1832, at the age of 28 years, he left his native 
town and went to reside at New Bedford, where he 
followed the occupation of land surveyor, and oc- 
casionally acted as an auctioneer Soon after becom- 
ing a citizen of this place, he was elected Town Clerk, 
Treasurer, and Collector of ta.xes, which office he held 
until the municipal government was changed, — about 
fifteen years, — when, upon the inaugviration of the city 
government, he was elected Treasurer and Collector 
of ta.xes, a position which he held two or three years. 
He was also Justice of the Peace for many years. 
He was elected Alderman of New Bedford ; was 
Chairman of Council Committee on Education, and 
as such prepared a report uiwn wliich was based the 
order for the establishment of the free Public Library 
of New Bedford. On its organization, Mr. Crapo was 
chosen a member of the Board of Trustees. This 
was the first free public library in Massachusetts, if 
not in the world. The Boston Free Library was es- 
tablished, however, soon afterwards. While a resident 
in New Bedford, he was much interested in horticul- 
ture, and to obtain the land necessary for carrying out 
his ideas he drained and rechiimed several acres of 
rocky and swampy land adjoining his garden. Here 
he stalled a nursery, which he filled with almost every 
description of fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, 
(lowers, etc. In this he was very successful and took 
great pride. He was a regular contributorto the New 
England Horticultural Journal, a position he filled 
as long as he lived in Massachusetts. .\s an indica- 
tion of the wide reputation he accjuired in that field 
of labor, it may be mentioned that after his death an 
affecting eulogy to his memory was i)ionounced by the 
President of the National Horticultural Society at its 
meeting in Philadelphia, in 1869. During his resi- 
dence in New Bedford, Mr. Cra|)o was also engaged 
in the whaling business. .\ fine barque built at Dart- 
mouth, of which he was part owner, was named the 
"H. H. Crapo" in compliment to him. 

Mr. C. also took part in the .State Militia, and for 
several years held a commission as Colonel of one of 
the regiments. He was President of the Bristol 
County Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and Secretary of 
the Bedford Commercial Insurance Company in New 
Bedford; and while an officer of the municipal gov- 
ernmenthecompiled and published, between the years 
1836 and 1845, five numbers of the New Bedford 
Directory the first work of the kind ever pulilished 
there. 

Mr. C. removed to Michigan in 1856, having been 
induced to do so by investments made principally in 
pine lands, first in 1S37 and subsequently in 1856. 
He took ui) his residence in the city of Flint, and en- 



gaged largely in the manufacture and sale of lumber 
at Flint, Fcntonville, Holly and Detroit, becoming 
one of the largest and most successful business men 
of the State. He was mainly instrumental in the 
construction of the Flint & Holly R. R., and was 
President of that corporation uniil its consolidation 
with the Flint & Pere Marquette R. R. Compan). 
He was elected Mayor of that city after he had been 
a resident of the place only five or six years. In 
1862 he was elected State Senator. In the fall of 
1864 he received the nomination on the Republican 
ticket for (Governor of the State, and was elected by a 
large majority. He was re-elected in :866, holding 
the office two terms, and retiring in January, 1869, 
having given the greatest satisfaction to all parties. 

While serving his last term he was attacked with a 
disease which terminated his life within one year 
afterwards. During much of this time he was an in- 
tense sufferer, yet often while in great pain gave his 
attention to public matters. A few weeks previous 
to his death a successful surgical operation was per- 
formed which seemed rapidly to restore him, but he 
overestimated his strength, and by too much exertion 
in business matters and State affairs sufi"ered a relapse 
from which there was no rebound, and he died July 
.33. 1869. 

In the early part of his life. Gov. Crapo affiliated 
with the Whig party in politics, but became an active 
member of the Republican party after its organization. 
He was a member of the Christian (sometimes called 
the Disciples') Church, and took great interest in its 
welfare and prosperity. 

Mr. C. married, June 9, 1825, Mary A. Slocuni. 
of Dartmouth. His marriage took place soon after 
he had attained his majority, and before his struggles 
with fortune had been rewarded with any great meas- 
ure of success. But his wife was a woman of great 
strength of character and possessed of courage, hope- 
fulness and devotion, qualities which sustained and 
encouraged her hiusband in the various pursuits of 
his early years. For several years after his marriage 
he was engaged in teaching school, his wife living 
with her parents at the time, at whose home his two 
older children were born. While thus situated he 
was accustomed to walk home on Saturday to see 
his family, returning on Sunday in order to be ready 
for school Monday morning. As the walk for a good 
jiart of the time was 20 miles each way, it is evident 
that at that period of his life no common obstacles 
deterred him from performing what he regarded 
as a duty. His wife was none the less consci- 
entious in her sphere, and with added responsibilities 
and increasing requirements she labored faithfully 
in the perfo'-mance of all her duties. They had 
ten children, one son and nine daughters. His son, 
Hon. Wm. W. Crapo, of New Bedford, is now an 
honored Representative to Congress from the First 
Congressional District of Massachusetts. 




Sk^i^t^ ^ ^o^oC>u-h- 



GOVERNORS OF MfCHIGAM. 



153 



« HENMY P._ BAilDWIN, ^ 





J ENRV P. BALDWIN, (lov- 
l^ ernor of Michigan from Jan. 
a"- 4, 1869,10 Jan. I, 1873, is a 
« lineal descendant of Nathan- 
^^SSS^S! iel Baldwin, a Puritan, of Buck- 
inghamshire, England, who set- 
tled at IMilford, Conn., in 1639. 
His father was John Baldwin, 
a graduate of Dartmouth Col- 
lege. He died at North Provi- 
dence, R. I., in 1826. His 
paternal grandfather was Rev. 
Moses Baldwin, a graduate of 
Princeton College, in 1757, and the 
first who received collegiate hon- 
ors at that ancient and honored institution. He died 
at Parma, Mass., in 1813, where for more than 50 
years he had been pastor of the Presbyterian Church. 
On his mother's side Governor B. is descended from 
Robert Williams, also a Puritan, who settled in Rox- 
bury, Mass., about 1638. His mother was a daughter 
of Rev. Nehemiah Williams, a graduate of Harvard 
College, who died at Brimfield, Mass., in 1796, where 
for 21 years he was pastor of the Congregationalist 
Church. The subject of this sketch was born at 
Coventry, R. I., Feb. 22, 1814. He received a New 
England common-school education until the age of 
12 years, when, both his parents having died, he be- 
came a clerk in a mercantile establishment. He re- 
mained there, employing his leisure hours in study, 
until 20 years of age. 

At this early period Mr. B. engaged in business on 
his own account. He made a visit to the West, in 
1837, which resulted in his removal to Detroit in the 
spring of 1858. Here he established a mercantile 
house which has been successfully conducted until 
the present time. Although he successfully conducted 



a large Inisiness, he has ever taken a deep interest in 
all things affecting the prosperity of the city and 
State of his adojjtion. He was for several years a 
Director and President of the Detroit Young Men's 
.Society, an institution with a large library designed 
for tiie benefit of young men and citizens generally. 
An Episcopalian in religious belief, he has been 
prominent in home matters connected with that de- 
nomination. The large and tloiirishing parish of St. 
John, Detroit, originated with Governor Baldwin, who 
gave the lot on which the [larish edifice stands, and 
also contributed the larger share of the cost of their 
erection. Governor B. was one of the foremost in 
the establishment of St. Luke's Hospital, and has 
always been a liberal contributor to moral and relig- 
ious enterprises whether connected with his own 
Church or not. There have been, in fact, but few 
[)ublic and social improvements of Detroit during the 
past 40 years with which Governor B.'s name is not 
in some way connected. He was a director in the 
Michigan State Bank until the e.xpiration of its char- 
ter, and has been President of the Second National 
Bank since its organization. 

In i860, Mr. Baldwin was elected to the State 
Senate, of Michigan ; during the years of 1861 -'2 he 
was made Chairman of the Finance Committee, a 
member of Committee on Banks and Incorporations 
Chairman of the Select Joint Committee of the tw:j 
Houses for the investigation of the Treasury Dejjart- 
ment and the official acts of the Treasurer, and oi" 
the letting of the contract for the improvement -X 
Sault St. Marie Ship Canal. He was first elected 
Governor in 1868 and was re-elected in 1870, serving 
from 1869 to 1872, inclusive. It is no undeserved 
eulogy to say that Governor B.'s happy faculty of es- 
timating the necessary means to an end — the knowini; 
of how much effort or attention to bestow upon the 
thing in hand, has been the secret of the uniform 



HENRY P. BALDWIN. 



success that has attended his efforts in all relations 
of life. The same industry and accuracy that dis- 
tinguished him prior to this term as Governor was 
manifest in his career as the chief magistrate of the 
State, and while his influence appears in all things 
with which he has had to do, it is more noticeable in 
the most prominent position to which he was called. 
With rare exceptions the important commendations 
of Governor B. received the sanction of the Legislat- 
ure. During his administration marked improve- 
ments were made in the charitable, penal and reforma- 
tory institutions of the State. The State Public School 
for dependent children was founded and a permanent 
conmiission for the supervision of the several State 
institutions. The initiatory steps toward building the 
l->astern Asylum for the Insane, the State House of 
Correction, and the establishment of the State Board 
of Health were recommended by Governor B. in his 
messa;^e of 1873. The new State Capitol also owes 
its origen to him. The appropriation for its erection 
was made upon his recommendation, and the contract 
for the entire work let under this administration. 
Governor B. also appointed the commissioners under 
whose faithful supervision the building was erected in 
a manner most satisfactory to the people of the State. 
He advised and earnestly urged at different times 
such amendments of the constitution as would per- 
mit a more equitable compensation I0 State officers 
and judges. Thelaw of 1869, and prior also, permitting 
municii)alities to vote aid toward the construc- 
tion cif railro.ids was, in 1870, declared unconstitu- 
I'onal by the Supreme Court. Many of the munici- 
palities having in the meantime issued and sold their 
bonds in good faith. Governor B. felt that the honor 
and credit of the State were in jeopardy. His sense 
of justice impelled him to call an e.xtra session of the 
Legislature to propose the submission to the people a 
1 onstitutional amendment, authorizing the payment 
of such bonds as were already in the hands of bona- 
ficie holders. In his special message he says : "The 
credit of no State stands liigher than that of Michigan, 
and the people can not afford, and I trust will not 
consent, to have her good name tarnished by the repu- 
diation of either legal or moral obligations." A spe- 
cial session was called in March, 1872, i)rincipally for 
the division of the State into congressional districts. 
,\ number of other important suggestions were made, 
however, ard as an evidence of the Governor's 1a- 
borioi\s and thoughtful care for the financial condition 



of the State, a series of tables was prepared and sub- 
mitted by him showing, in detail, estimates of receipts, 
expenditures and appropriations for the years 1872 to 
1878, inclusive. Memorable of Governor B.'s admin- 
istration were the devastating fires which swept over 
many jxjrtions of the Northwest in the fall of 187: 
A large part of the city of Chicago having been re- 
duced to ashes. Governor B. promptly issued a proc- 
lamation calling upon the people of Michigan for 
liberal aid in behalf of the afflicted city. Scarcely had 
this been issued when several counties in his State 
were laid waste by the same destroying element. 
A second call was made asking assistance for the suf- 
fering people of Michigan. Tlie contributions for 
these objects were prompt and most lil^eral, more than 
$700,000 having been received in money and supplies 
for the relief of Michigan alone. So ample were 
these contributions during the short period of abou' 
3 months, that the Governor issued a proclamation 
expressing in behalf of the people of the State grate- 
ful acknowldgment, and announcing that furtlier 
aid was unnecessary. 

Governor B. has traveled extensively in his own 
country and has also made several visits to Europe 
and other portions of the Old World. He was a pas- 
senger on the Steamer Anil, which was captured and 
bonded in the Carribean Sea, in December, 1862, by 
Capt. Semmes, and wrote a full and interesting ac- 
count of the transaction. The following estimate of 
Governor B. on his retirement from office, by a leading 
newspaper, is not overdrawn: "The retiring message 
of Governor B., will be read with interest. It is 
a characteristic document and possesses the lucid 
statement, strong, and clear practical sense, which 
have been marked features of all preceding documents 
from the same source. Governor B. retired to private 
life after four years of unusually successful adminis- 
tration amid plaudits that are universal throughout the 
State. For many years eminent and capable men 
have filled the executive chair of this State, but in 
painstaking vigilance, in stern good sense, in genuine 
public spirit, in thorough integrity and in practica. 
capacity, Henry P. Baldwin has shown himself to be 
the peer of any or all of them. The State has been un- 
usually prosperous during his two terms, and the Stale 
administration has fully keiJt pace with the needs ol 
the times. The retiring Governor has fully (;arned 
the public gratitude and confidence which he to-day 
possesses to such remarkable degree. 




XiSr-^r^o.f^ 



GOyF.RA'OKS OF MICHIGAX. 



157 



W JOMr^ i> BAeiET, i 





()H\ juDsoN bac;lev, 

<j j\ eriior of Michigan from 
iSy3 to 1877, was born in 
M(.dnia, Orleans Co., N. Y., 
y ilv 24,1832. His father, Jolin 
Bagley, was a native of New 
Hampshire, liis mother, Mary M. 
ISagley, of Connecticut. He at- 
tended the district school of Lock- 
port, N. Y., until he was eight years 
old, at which time his father moved 
to Constantine, Mich., and he at- 
/'f tended the common schools of that 
village. His early experience was 
like that of many country boys whose 
''/\\^. parents removed from Eastern States 
to the newer portion of the West. 
His father being in very jX)or circum- 
:;[] stances, Mr. B. was obliged to work 
Jjll A as soon as he was able to do so. 
ItL I^c^ving school when 13 years of age 
he entered a country store in Constan- 
tine as clerk. His father then re- 
moved to Owosso, Mich., and he again 
I engaged as clerk in a store. From 
early youth Mr. B. was extravagantly fond of reading 
and devoted every leisure moment to the perusal of 
such books, papers and periodicals as came within 
his reach. In 1847, he removed to Detroit, where he 
secured employment in a tobacco manufactory and 
remained in this position for about five years. 

In 1853, he began business for himself in the man- 
ufacturing of tobacco. His establishment has become 



one of the largest of the kind in the West. Mr. 15. 
has also been greatly interested in other manufactur- 
ing enterprises, as well as in mining, banking and in- 
surance corporations. He was President of the 
Detroit Safe Company for several years. He was one 
of the organizers of the Michigan Mutual Life Insur- 
ance Company of Detroit, and was its President from 
1867 to 1872. He w;is a director of the Amer- 
ican National Bank for many years, and a stock- 
holder and director in various other corporations. 
Mr. B. was a member of the Board of Education two 
years, and of the Detroit Common Council the same 
length of time. \\\ 1S65 he was apixiinted by (Gover- 
nor Crapo one of the first commissioners of the 
Metropolitlan police force of the city of Detroit, serv- 
ing six years. In November, 1872, he was elected 
Governor of Michigan, and two years later was re- 
elected to the same office, retiring in January, 1877. 
He was an active worker in the Republican party, and 
for many years was Chairman of the Republican 
State Central connnittee. 

Governor Bagley was quite liberal in !iis religious 
views and was an attendant of the LTnitarian Church. 
He aimed to be able to hear and consider any new 
thought. from wliatever source itmay come, but was not 
iwund by any religious creed or formula. He held 
in respect all religious opinions, believing that no one 
can be injured by a firm adherence to a faith or de- 
nomination. He was married at Dubuque, Iowa, Jan. 
16, 1855, to Frances E. Newberry, daughter of Rev. 
Samuel Newberry, a pioneer missionary of Miciiigan, 
who took an active part in the early educational mat- 
ters of the State and in the establishment of its ex- 
cellent system of education. It was principally 



'58 



JOHN J. BAGLEY. 



t'.-.rough his exertions that the State University was 
founded. Mr. B.'s family consists of seven children. 

As Governor his administration was charac- 
terized by several ini|3ortant features, chief among 
which were his efforts to improve and make popular 
the educational agencies of the Slate by increasing 
the faculty of the University for more thorough in- 
struction in technicalstudies.bystrengtheningthe hold 
of the Agricultural College ujwn the pubHc good will 
and making the general chr^nge which has manifested 
itself in many scattered primary districts. Among 
vjihers were an almost complete revolution in the 
management of the penal and charitable institutions 
of the State; the passage of the li(iuor-tax law, taking 
the place of the dead letter of prohibition; the estab- 
lishing of the system of dealing with juvenile offend- 
ers through county agents, which has proved of great 
good in turning the young back from crime and plac- 
ing the State in the attitude of a moral agent ; in se- 
curing for the militia the first time in the history of 
Michigan a systematized organization upon a service- 
able footing. It was w\x>\\ the suggestion of Gov. B. 
in the earlier part of his administration that the law 
creating the State Board of Health, and also the law 
creating a fish commission in the inland waters of the 
Slate, were passed, both of which have proved of great 
benefit to the Slate. The successful representation 
of Michigan at the Centennial Exhibition is also an 
honorable part of the record of Gov. B.'s adminis- 
tration. 

As Govcrncr, he felt that he represented the State 
— not in a narrow, egotistical way, but in the same 
sense that a faithful, trusted, confidential agent rep- 
resents his employer, and as the Executive of the 
State he was her " attorney in fact." And his intelli- 
gent, thoughtful care will long continue the pride of 
the people he so much loved. He was ambitious — 
ambitious for place and power, as every noble mind 
is ambitious, because these give opportunity. How- 
ever strong the mind and powerful the will, if there 
be no ambition, life is a failu.e. He was not blind to 
the fact that the more we have the more is required 
of us. He accepted it in its fullest meaning. He 
had great hopes for his State and his country. He had 
his ideas of what they should be. With a heart as 
broad as h.umanity itself; with an intelligent, able and 
cultured brain, the will and tlie power to do, lie 
asked his fellow citizen to give him the opportunity to 
labor for ihem. Self entered not into the calculation. 



His whole life was a battle for others; and he entered 
the conflict eagerly and hopefully. 

His State papers were models of compact, busi- 
ness-like statements, bold, original, and brimful of 
practical suggestions, and his administrations will long 
be considered as among the ablest in this or any 
other State. 

His noble, generous nature made his innumerable 
benefactions a source of continuous pleasure. Liter- 
ally, to him it was " more blessed to give than to 
receive." 

His greatest enjoyment was in witnessing the com- 
fort and happiness of others. Not a tithe of his char- 
ities were known to his most intimate friends, or even 
to his family. Many a needy one has been the recipi- 
ent of aid at an opportune moment, wh? never knew 
the hand that gave. 

At one time a friend had witnessed his ready re- 
sponse to some charitable request, and said lo him ; 
"Governor, you give away a large sum of money ; abou. 
how much does your charities amount to in a year?' 
He turned at once and said: " I do not know, sir; I 
do not allow myself to know. I hope I gave more 
this year than I did last, and hope I shall give mor.- 
next year than I have this." This expressed his idea 
of^harity, that the giving should at all times be tree 
and spontaneous. 

During his leasure hours from early life, and espe- 
cially during the last few years, he devoted much time 
to becoming acquainted with the best authors. Biog- 
raphy was his delight; the last he read was the "Life 
and Woik of John Adams," in ten volumes. 

Tn all questions of business or public affaiis l.e 
seemed to have the ix)wer of getting at the kernel of 
the nut in the least possible time. In reading he 
would spend scarcely more time with a volume than 
most persons would devote to a chapter. After wh:;[ 
seemed a cursory glance, he would have all of value 
the book contained. Rarely do we see a business 
man so familiar with the best English authors. He 
was a generous and intelligent patron of the arts, and 
Iiis elegant home was a study and a pleasure 
to his many friends, who always found there a 
hearty welcome. At Christmas time he would spend 
days doing the work of Santa Claus. Every Cliristmas 
eve he gathered his children about him and, taking 
the youngest on his lap, told some Christmas story, 
closing the entertainment with "The Night Before 
Chrislmas," or Dickens's "Christmas Caroi," 



'f 



GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



i6i 






^ 



i .^Oz£i2;^^«<S~**W5«-=^y5^.^^^ 




CKOSWELL. ^» 




HARLES M. CROSWELL, 
Governor of Michigan from 
Jan. 3, 1S77 to Jan. i, 1881, 
was born at Newlnug, Orange 
County, N. Y., Oct. 31, 1825. 
He is the only son of John and 
Sallie (Hicks) Croswell. His 
tither, who was of .Scotch-Irish 
extraction, was a paper-maker, 
md carried on business in New 
York City. His ancestors on 
his mother's side were of Knicker- 
bocker descent. The Croswell 
family may be found connected 
with prominent events, in New York 
and Connecticut, in the eaily exis- 
tence of tlie Repuolic. Harry Cros- 
well, during the administration of 
President Jefferson, published a pa- 
per called the Balaiue, and was 
prosecuted for libeling the President 
under the obnoxious Sediiion Law. 
He was defended by the celebrated 
Alexander Hamilton, and the decis- 
iof. jf the case establised the important ruling that 
tht truth might be shown in cases of lil)ei. .'Vnother 
member of the family was Edwin Croswell, the fam- 
ous editor of the Albany v4/;^//j-y also. Rev. William 
C'roswell, noted as a divine and poet. 

When Charles M. Croswell was seven years of age, 
h'.s fithei was accidentally drowned in the Hudson 
River, at Xewbur;^ ; and, within three months preced- 
ing thai event, his mother and only sister had died, — 
thus leaving him the sole surviving member of the 
faniilv. without fortune or means. Upon the death 



of his father he went to live with an uncle, who, in 
1837, emigrated with him to Adrain, Michigan. At 
sixteen years of age, he commenced to learn the car- 
penter's trade, and worked at it very diligently for 
four years, maintainiughimself, and devoting his spare 
time to reading and the acquirement of knowledge. 
In 1846, he began the study of law, and w.is ap- 
pointed Deputy Clerk of Lenawee County. The du 
ties of this office he performed four years, when lie 
was elected Register of Deeds, and was re -elected 
in 1852. In 1854, he look part in the first movements 
for the formation of the Republican party, and was a 
member and Secretary of the convetion held at Jack- 
son in that year, which put in the field the first Re- 
publican State ticket in Michigan. In 1855, he 
formed a law partnership with the ])resent Chief-Jus- 
tice Cooley, which continued until the removal of 
Judge Cooley to Ann Arbor. 

In 1862, Mr. Croswell was appointed City Attorney 
of Adrian. He was also elected Mayor of the city 
in the spring of the same year; and in the fall was 
chosen to represent Lenawee County in the State 
Senate. He was re-elected to the Senate in 1864, 
and again in t866, during each term filling the posi- 
tions above mentioned. Among various reports made 
by him, one adverse to the re-establishment of the 
death penalty, and another against a pro])osition ta 
pay the salaries of State officers and judges in coii\ 
which then commanded a very large premium, may 
be mentioned. He also drafted the act ratifying the 
'I'liirteenth Amendment to the Federal Constitution, 
for the abolishment of slavery, it being the first 
amendment to the instrument ratified by Michigan. 
In 1863, from his seat in the State Senate, he de- 
livered an elaborate speecli :n .''?."or of the Proclama- 



r62 



CHARLES M. CRO SWELL. 



tio;i of Emancipation issued by President Lincoln, 
and of his general policy in the prosecution of the 
war. This, at the request of his Republican associ- 
ates, was afterwards published. In 1867, he was 
elected a member of the Constitutional Convention, 
and cliosen its ))residing officer. This convention 
was composed of an able body of men; and though, 
in the general distrust of constitutional changes 
which for some years had been taking possession of 
the people, their labors were not accepted by the pop- 
ular vote, it was always conceded that the constitu- 
tion they proposed had been prepared with great care 
and skill. 

In 186S, Mr. Croswell was chosen an Elector on 
the Rcp.iblican Presidential ticket; in 1872, was 
elected a Representative to the State Legislature 
from Le:iawea County, and was chosen Speaker of 
the House of Representatives. At the close of the 
ssssion of that body his abilities as a parliamentarian, 
and the fairness of his rulings were freely and form- 
ally acknowledged by his associates ; and he was pre- 
sented with a superb collection of their portraits 
handsomely framed. He was, also, for several years, 
Secretary of the State Board for the general supervis- 
ion of the charitable and penal institutions of Michi ■ 
gan ; in wliich position, his propositions for the amel- 
ioration of the condition of the unfortunate, and the 
reformation of the criminal classes, signalize the be- 
nevolence of his nature, and the piartical character 
of his mind. 

In 1876, the general voice of the Republicans of 
the State indicted Mr. Croswell as their choice for 
Governor; and, at the State Convention of the party 
ill .\ngust of the same year, he was put in nomination 
by acclamation, without the formality of a ballot. .\t 
tne election in November following, he was chosen to 
the high position for which he had been nominated, 
by a very large majority over all opposing candidates. 
His inaugural message was received with general 
favor; and his career as Governor was marked with 
the same qualities of head and heart that have ever 
distinguished him, both as a citizen and statesman. 



Governor Groswell has always prepared his ad- 
dresses with care ; and, as his diction is terse, clear, 
and strong, without excess of ornament, and his de- 
livery impressive, he is a popular speaker; and many 
of his speeches have attracted favorable comment in 
the public prints, and have a permanent value. He 
has always manifested a deep interest in educational 
matters, and was for years a member and Secretary of 
the Board of Education of Adrain. At the formal 
opening of the Central School building in that city, 
on the 24th day of April, 1869, he gave, in a public 
address, an " Historical Sketch of tlie Adrian Public 
Schools." 

In his private life. Governor Croswell has been as 
exemplary as in his public career he has been suc- 
cessful and use^il. In February, 1852, he was mar- 
ried to a daughter of Morton Eddy, Lucy M. Eddy, 
a lady of many amiable and sunny qualities. She 
suddenly died, March 19, 1868, leaving two daugh- 
ters and a son. Governor Croswell is not a member 
of any religious body, but generally attends the Pres- 
byterian Church. He pursues the profession of law, 
but of late has been occupied mainly in the care of his 
own interests, and the quiet duties of advice in 
business difficulties, for which bis unfailing i)ru- 
dence and sound judgment eminently fit him. Gov- 
ernor Croswell is truly popular, not only with those of 
like political f lilh witii himself, but with those who 
differ frcm liim in this regard. 

During Gov. Croswell's administration tlie public 
debt was greatly reduced ; a policy adopted requiring 
the State institutions to keep within the limit of ap- 
propriations; laws enacted to provide more effectually 
for the punishment of corruption and bribreiy in elec- 
tions; the State House of Correction at Ionia and the 
Eastern Asylum for the Insane at Pontiac were opened 
and the new capital at Lansing was completed and 
occupied. The first act of his second term was to pre- 
side at the dedication of this buildiig The great riot 
at Jackson occured during his administration, and it 
was only bv his promptness that great distruclion of 
both life ar.d propertv was prevented at tha* time. 



GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



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DAVID H. JEROME, Gover- 

^nor of from Tan. i, 1881, to 
Jan. I, 1883, was born at De- 
troit, Mich., Nov. 17, 1829. 
' His parents emigrated to 
Michigan from Trumansburg, 
Tompkins Co., N. Y., in 1828, 
locating at Detroit. His father 
died March 30, 1831, leaving 
nine <;hildren. He had been 
twict? married, and four of the 
children living at the time of his 
death were grown up sons, the off- 
spring of his first union. Of the 
iren by his second marriage, David H. was 
tlie yoangest. Shortly after Mr. Jerome's death, his 
widow moved back to New York and settled in 
():io"daga County near Syracuse, where they remained 
until the fall of 1834, the four sons by the first wife 
continuing their residence in Michigan. In the fall 
of 1834, Mrs. Jerome came once more to Michigan, 
locating oil a farm in St. Clair County. Here the 
(Governor formed those habits of industry and ster- 
ling integrity tha>t have been so characteristic of the 
,nan in the active duties of life. He was sent to the 
district school, and in the acquisition of the funda- 
mental branches of learning he displayed a precocity 
and an application which won for him the admiration 
<;f iiis teacheis, and always placed him at the head 
of his classes. In the meantime he did chores on 
the farm, and was always ready with a cheerful heart 
and willing hand to assist his widowed mother. The 
heavy labor of the farm was carried on l;y his two 



older brothers, Timothy and George, and when 13 
years of age David received his mothers permission to 
attend school at the St. Clair Academy. While attend- 
ing there he lived with Marcus H. Miles, now de- 
ceased, doing chores for his board, and the following 
winter performed the same service for James Ogden, 
also deceased. The next summer Mrs. Jerome 
moved into the village of St. Clair, for the purjx)se of 
continuing her son in school. While attending said 
academy one of his associate students was Sena- 
tor Thomas W. Palmer, of Detroit, a rival candidate 
before the gubernatorial convention in 1880. He 
completed his education in the fall of his i6th year, 
and the following winter assisted liis brother Timothy 
m hauling logs in the pine woods. The next summer 
he rafted logs down the St. Clair River to Algonac. 

In 1847, M. H. Miles being Clerk in St. Clair Coun- 
ty, and Volney A. Ripley Register of Deeds, David 
H. Jerome was appointed Deputy to each, remaining 
as such during 1848-49, and receiving much praise 
from his employers and the people in general for the 
ability displayed in the discharge of his duties. He 
spent his summer vacation at clerical work on hoard 
the lake vessels. 

In 1849-50, he abandoned office work, and for the 
proper development of his physical system spent 
several months hauling logs. In the spring of 1850, 
his brother" Tiff" and himself chartered the steamer 
"Chautauqua," and "Young Dave" became her mas- 
ter. A portion of the season the boat was engaged 
in the passenger and freight traffic between Port 
Huron and Detroit, but during tlie l.(tter part was 
used as a tow boat. At that time there was a serious 
obstruction to navigation, known as the "St. Clair 
Flats," between Lakes Huron and Erie, over which 



i66 



DA VI n H. JEROME. 



vessels could carry only about 10,000 bushels of grain. 
Mr. Jerome conceived the idea of towing vessels 
from one lake to the other, and put his plan into 
0i>eration. Through the influence of practical men, — 
among them the subject of this sketch, — Congress 
removed the obstruction above referred to, and now 
vessels can pass them laden with 60,000 or 80,000 
bushels of grain. 

During the season, the two brothers succeeded 
in making a neat little sum of money by the sum- 
mer's work, but subsequently lost it all on a contract 
to raise the "(len. Scott," a ves'sel that had sunk in 
Lake .St. Clair. David H. came out free from debt, 
but possessed of hardly a dollar of capital. In the 
spring of 185 I, he was clerk and acting master of the 
steamers "Franklin Moore" and "Ruby," plying be- 
tween Detroit and Port Huron and Goderich. The 
following year he was clerk of the propeller "Prince- 
ton." running between Detroit and Buffalo. 

In January, 1853, Mr. Jerome went to California, 
.ly way of the Isthmus, and enjoyed extraordinary 
success in selling goods in a new place of his selec- 
tion, among the mountains near Marysville He re- 
mained there during the summer, and located the 
Live Yankee Tunnel Mine, which has since yielded 
millions to its owners, and is still a paying investment. 
He planned and put a tunriel 600 feet into tlie mine, 
but when the water supply began to fail with the dry 
season, sold out his interest. He left in the fall of 
1853, and in December sailed from San Francisco for 
New York, arriving at his home in St. Clair County, 
about a year after his departure. During his absence 
his brother "Tiff" had located at Saginaw, ana in 
1854 Mr. Jerome joined him in his lumber operarions 
in the valley. In 1855 the brothers bought Black- 
mer & Eaton's hardware and general supply stores, 
at Saginaw, and David H. assumed the management 
of the business. From 1855 to 1873 he was also ex- 
tensively engaged in lumbering operations. 

Soon after locating at Saginaw he was nominated 
for Alderman against .Stewart B. Williams, a rising 
young man, of strong Democratic principles. The 
ward was largely Democratic, but Mr. Jerome was 
elected by a handsome majority. When the Repub- 
lican party was born at Jackson, Mich., iJavid H. 
Jerome was, though not a delegate to the convention, 
one of its "cliarter members." In 1862, he was com- 
missioned l>y Gov. Austii. B'air tc raise one of the 



six regiments apportioned to the State of Michigan. 
Mr. Jerome immediately went to work and held 
meetings at various points. The zeal and enthusiasm 
displayed by this advocate of the Union awakened a 
feeling of patriotic interest in the breasts of many 
brave men, and in a sliort space of time the 23d 
Regiment of Michigan Volunteer Infantry was placed 
in the field, and subsequently gained for itself a Ijril- 
liant record. 

In the fall of 1862, Mr. Jerome was nominated by 
the Republican party for State Senator from the 26th 
district, Appleton Stevens, of Bay City, being his op- 
ixment. The contest was very exciting, and resulted 
in tlie triumphant election of Mr. Jerome. He was 
twice renominated and elected both times by in- 
creased majorities, defeating George Lord, of Bay 
City, and Dr. Cheseman, of Gratiot County. On tak- 
ing his seat in the Senate, he was appointed Chair- 
man of the Committee on State Affairs, and was ac- 
tive in raising means and troops to carry on the war. 
He held the same position during his three terms of 
service, and introduced the bill creating the Soldiers' 
Home at Harper Hospital, Detroit. 

He was selected by Gov. Crajx) as a military aid, 
and in 1865 was appointed a member of the State 
Military Board, and served as its President for eight 
conseci'tive years. In 1873, he was ap]X)inted by 
Gov. Bagley a member of the convention to prepare 
a new State Constitution, and was Chairman of the 
Committee on Finance. 

In 1875, Mr. Jerome was appointed a memberof 
the Board of Indian Commissioners. In I876 he was 
Chairman of a coi.imission to visit Chief Joseph, the 
Nez Perce Indian, to arrange an amicable settlement 
of all existing difficuhies. The commission went to 
Portland, Oregon, thence to the Blue Hills, in Idaho, 
a distance of 600 miles up the Columbia River. 

At the Republican .State Convention, convened at 
Jackson in August, 1880, Mr. Jerome was placed in 
the field for nomination, and on the 5th day of the 
month received the highest honor the convention 
could confer on any one. His opponent was Freder- 
ick M. Hollowav of Hillsdale County, wh', was si o- 
p^rted by the Democratic and Greenback parties 
The State was thoroughly canvassed by bcth parties, 
and when the polls were closed on the evening of 
election day, it was found that David H. Jerome hid 
been selected by the voters of the Wolverne State tc 
occupy the highest position wnhin the:-, gift 




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(JOr/iK.W)/,-^ OF M/CtlfGAiY 



169 




JOSIAH W. BECHVLE 





OSIAH W. BEGOLE, the 

resent (1883), Governor of 
Michigan was born in Living- 
ston, County, N. V., Jan. 20, 
» 1815. His ancestors were of 
French descent, and settled at 
an early period in the State of 
Maiyland. Hisgrandfatlier,Capt. 
Bolles, of that State, was an offi- 
cer in the American army during 
the war of the Revolution. About 
'^•!\\ the beginning of the present cent- 
\<\ ury both his grandparents, having 
become dissatisfied with the insti- 
Tjj^j tution of slavery, although slave- 
''' '> holders themselves, emigrated to 
Livingston County, N. Y., then 
a new country, taking with them a 
number of their former slaves, who 
volunteered to accompany them. 
His father was an officer \\\ the 
American army, and served during 
the war of 181 2. 
Mi. B. received his early education in a log school- 
house, and subsequently attended the Temple Hill 
.-Vcademy, at Geneseo, N, Y. Being the eldest of a 
family of ten children, whose parents were in moder- 
ate though comfortable circumstances, he was early 
taught habits of industry, and when 21 years of age, 
i)eiiig ambitious to be'ter hi ; condition in life, he re- 
solved to seek his fortune in the uir West, ns it was 



then called. In August, 1836, he left the parental 
roof to seek a home in the Territory of Michigan 
then an almost unbroken wilderness. He settled in 
(ienesee County, and aided with his own liands in 
building some of the early residences in what is now 
known as the city of Flint. There were but four or 
five houses where this flourishing city now stands 
when he selected it as his home. 

\\\ the spring of 1839 he married Miss Harriet .\. 
Miles. The marriage proved a most fortunate one, 
and to the faithful wife of his youth, who lives to en- 
joy with him the comforts of an honestly earned com- 
petence, Mr. Begole ascribes largely his success in 
life. Immediately after his marriage he commenced 
work on an unimproved farm, where, by his perse- 
verance and energy, he soon established a good home, 
and at the end of eighteen years was the owner of a 
well improved farm of five hundred acres. 

Mr. Begole being an anti-slavery man, became a 
member of the Re[)ublican party at its organization. 
He served his townsmen in various offices, and was 
in 1856, elected County Treasurer, which office he 
held for eight years. 

.\t the breaking out of the Rebellion he did not 
carry a musket to the front, but his many friends will 
bear witness that he took an active part in recruiting 
and furnishing supplies for the army, and in looking 
after the interests of soldiers' families at home. The 
death of his eldest son near Atlanta, Cra., by a Confed- 
rate bullet, in 1864, was the gre;itest sorrowof his life. 
Wlien a few years Liter he was a merai^er in Congress 



lyo 



JOSIAH W. BEGOLE. 



(iov. Begole voted and worked for the soldiers' 
bounty equalization bill, an act doing justice to the 
soldier who bore the burden and heat of the day, and 
who should fare equally with him who came in at the 
eleventh hour. That bill was defeated in the House 
on account of the large appropriation that would be 
required to pay the same. 

In 1870, Gdv. Begole was nominated by acclama- 
tion for tlie office of State Senator, and elected by a 
large majority. In that body he served on the Com- 
mittees of Finance and Railroads, and wasChairnjan 
of the Committee on the Institute for the Deaf and 
Dumb and Blind. He took a liberal and public- 
spirited view of the importance of a new capitol 
building worthy of the State, and was an active mem- 
ber of the Committee that drafted the bill for the 
same He was a delegate to the National Republi- 
can Convention held at Philadelphia in 1872, and 
was the chosen member of that delegation to go to 
Washington and inform Gen. Grant and Senator 
\Vilson of their nominations. It was while at that 
convention that, by the express wish of his many 
friends, he was induced to offer himself a can- 
didate for tlie nomination of member to the 43d Con- 
gress, in which he was successful, aftercompetingfor 
the nomination with several of the most worthy, able 
and experienced men in the Sixth Congressional Dis- 
trict, and was elected by a very large majority. In 
Congress, he was a member of the Committee on 
Agricultural and Public Expenditures. Being one of 
the 17 farmers in that Congress, he took an active 
part in the Committee of Agriculture, and was aj)- 
pointed by that committee to draft the most impor- 
tant report made by that committee, and upon the 
only subject recommended by the President in his 
message, which he did and the report was printed in 
records of Congress ; he took an efficient though an 
unobtrusive part in all its proceedings. 

He voted for the currency bill, remonetization of 
silver, and other financial measures, many of which, 
though defeated then, have since become the settled 
policy of the country. Owing to the position which. 
Mr. Begole occupied on these questions, he became a 
"Greenbacker." 

In the Gubernatorial election of 1882, Mr. Begole 
was the candidate of both the Greenback and Dem- 
ocratic parties, and was elected by a vote ef 154,269, 
the Republican candidate, Hon. David H. Jerome, 



receiving 149,697 votes. Mr. Begole, in entering 
upon his duties as Governor, has manifested a spirit 
that has already won him many friends, and bids fair 
to make his administration both successful and pop- 
ular. 

The very best indications of what a man is, is what 
his own townsmen think of him. We give the fol- 
lowing extract from the Flint Globe, the leading Re- 
publican paper m Gov. Begole's own county, and it, 
too, written during the heat of a political campaign, 
which certainly is a flattering testimonial of his ster- 
ling worth : 

" So far, however, as Mr. Begole, the head of the 
ticket, is concerned, there is nothing detrimental to 
his character that can be alleged against him. He 
has sometimes changed his mind in politics, but for 
sincerity of his beliefs and the earnestness of his pur- 
pose nobody who knows him entertains a doubt. He 
is incapable of bearing malice, even against his bit- 
terest political enemies. He has a warm, generous 
nature, and a larger, kinder heart does not beat in 
the bosom of any man in Michigan. He is not much 
given to making speeches, but deeds are more signif- 
icant of a man's character than words. There are 
many scores of men in all parts of the State where 
Mr. Begole is acquainted, who have had practical 
demonstrations of these facts, and who are liable to 
step outside of party lines to show -that they do not 
forget his kindness, and who, no doubt, wish that he 
was a leader in what would not necessarily prove a 
forlorn hope. But the Republican party in Michigan 
is too strong to be beaten by a combination of Demo- 
crats and Greenbackers, even if it is marshaled by so 
good a man as Mr. Begole." 

This sketch would be imperfect without referring 
lo the action of Mr. B. at the time of the great calamity 
that in i88i overtook the people of Northeastern 
Michigan, in a few hours desolating whole counties 
by fire and destroying the results and accumulations 
of such hard work as only falls to the lot of pioneers. 
While the Port Huron and Detroit committees were 
quarreling over the distribution of funds, Mr. Begole 
wrote to an agent in the ",burnt district " a letter, from 
which we make an extract of but a single sentence: 
"Until the differences between the two committees 
are adjusted and you receive your regular supplies 
from them, draw on me. Let no man suffer while I 
have money." This displays his true character. 



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UOVERNOliS OF JUCIUGAN^. 



173 




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USSELL A.ALGER,Governor 
of Michigan for the term com- 
iiiencing Jan. 1, 1885, was 
Ijorn in J>;ifayette Township, 
Medina Co., Ohio, Feb. 27, 
1836. Having lived a tem- 
perate life, he is a comparative 
j'oung man in appearance, and pos- 
sesses tliose mental facnltics that arc 
the distinguishing eiiaractcrislics ot 
roinist, mature and educated man- 
hood. Wiien 1 1 years of age both 
his parents died, leaving him Titha 
'■**%^/ younger brotlicr and sister to sup- 

"V port and without any of the substan- 

tial means of existence. Lacking the opportunity of 
bettercmploymcnt, ho worked on a farm in Richfield, 
Oliio, for the greater part of each of the succeeding 
seven years, saving money enough to defray his ex- 
penses at Richfield Academy during the winter 
terms. He obtained a ver3' good English education, 
and was enabled to teach school for several subse- 
quent winters. In 1857 he commenced the study of 
law in the offices of AVolcott & Upson at Akron, re- 
maining until March, 1859, when lie was admitted 
to the bar by the Oliio Supreme Court. lie then 
removed to Cleveland, and entered tlie law office of 
Otis & Coffinbury, where he remained several 
montiis. Here he continued liis studies witli in- 
creased zeal, and did much general reading. Hard 
study and close confinement to office woric, however, 
began to Idl on liis constitution, and failing health 
warned liim tliat he must seek other occupation. 



He tlierefore reluctantly abandoned the law and re- 
moved to Grawl Rapids, Mich., lo engage in the 
lumber business. 

When Michigan was called upon to furnish troops 
for the war, IMr. Alger enlisted in the Second Midi. 
Cav. and was mustered into the service of the 
United States as Captain of Co. C. His record as 
a cavalry officer was brilliant and honorable to 
himself and his eompanj'. He participated in some 
of the fiercest contests of the rebellion and wa.' 
twice wounded. His first injury was received ii 
the battle of Booneville, Miss., July 2, 18G£, 
His conduct in this engagement was so distin- 
guished that he was i)romoted to the rank oi 
Major. On the same occasion his Colonel, the 
gnlhint Phil. Sheridan, was advanced to the rank 
(.f Brigadier General. A few montiis Later, on the 
ICth of October, Major Alger became Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the Sixth Mich. Cav., and was ordered 

f with his regiment to the Army of the Potomac. 
After marked service in the early campaign of 1 8(]o, 
he was again advanced, and on June 2 received his 

' commission as Colbnel of the Fifth Mich. Cav. His 
regiment at this time was in Custer's famous Michi- 
gan cavalry brigade. On the fitli of July occurred 
the battle of Booncsboro, Md. 1 u this conflict he 
was again wounded. His health received a more 
than temporary iin|)airment, and in October, 1804, 
he was obliged to retire from the service. His 
career as a soldier included many of the most celo- 

i brated contests of the war. He was an active charac- 
ter ill all the battles fought by the Army of the 



174 



RUSSELL A. ALGER. 



Potomac, from the time of the invasion of Maiy- 
i:in(l Ijj- Gen. Lee in 18G3, up to the date of his 
retirement, with llic exception of tiiuse engagements 
which occurred wliile he was absent from duty on 
account of wounds. In all he took part in GG bat- 
tles and skirmishes. At the close he was bnvctcd 
Brigadier General and JNIajor General for '-gallant 
and meritorious services in the field." 

Aside from regular duty, Geii. Alger was on 
private service during the winter of 18G3-4, receiv- 
ing orders personally from President Lincoln and 
visiting nearly all the armies in the field. 

Gen. Alger came to Detroit in 18G5, and since 
that time has been extensively engaged in the pine 
timber business and in dealing in pine lands. He 
was a member of the well-known firm of IMoore & 
Alger until its dissolution, when he became head of 
the firm of R. A. Alger & Co., the most extensive 
pine timber operators in the West. Gen. Alger is 
now president of the corporation of Alger, Smith <fe 
Co., which succeeded K. A. Alger (k Co. lie is also 
president of the Manistiqne Lumbering Company 
and president of the Detroit, Bay Citj- & Alpena 
Raih-oad Companj', besides being a stockholder and 
<lirector of the Detroit National Bank, the Fcninsn- 
lar Car Company and several other large corpor- 
ations. 

While always an active and influential Republi- 
can, Gen. Alger has never sought nor held a sal- 
aried office. He was a delegate from the First Dis- 
trict to the last Republican National Convention, 
but aside from this his connection with politics has 
not extended bej'ond the duties of every good cit- 
izen to his party and his countr3'. 

Gen. Alger is now forty-nine years of age, an 
active, handsome gentleman six feet tall, living 
the life of a busy man of affairs. His military 
bearing at once indicates his army life, and although 
slenderly built, his square shoulders and erect 
carriage give the casual observer the impression 
that his weight is fully 180 pounds. He is a firm, 
yet a most decidedly pleasant-appearing man, with 
a fine forehead, rather a j>rominent nose, an iron- 
gray moustache and chin whiskers and a full head 
of hlack hair sprinkled with gray. He is usuall}' 
.titired in the prevailing stjde of business suits. His 
favorite dress has been a high buttoned cutaway 



frock coat, with the predominating cut of vest and 
trousers, made of firm gray suiting. A high collar, 
small cravat, eas3' shoes and white plug hat com- 
plete his personal npparel. He is very particular 
as to his appearance, and always wears neat clothes 
of the best goods, but shuns any display of jewehy 
or extravagant en.bellishment. He is one of the 
most approachable men imaginable. No matter 
how busy he may be, he alwaj'S leaves his desk to 
extend a cordial welcome to every visitor, be he of 
high or low situation. His affable manners delight 
his guests, while his [)leasing face and bright, dark 
eyes alvvaj's animate his hearers. 

Gen. Alger is a hard worker. He is always at his 
office promptly in the morning and stays as long as 
anything remains tliat demands his attention. In 
business matters he is always decided, and is never 
shaken or disturbed by any reverses. He has the 
confidence of his associates to a high degree, and al_ 
his business relations are tempered with those little 
kindnesses that relieve the tedium of routine office 
life. Although deeply engrossed in various busi- 
ness pursuits. Gen. Alger has yet fouad time for 
general culture. He owns a large libr.ar3' and his 
stock of general information is as complete as it is 
reliable. His collection of paintings has been se- 
lected with rare good taste, and contains some of 
tlie finest productions of modern artists. His team 
of baj's are pej'haps the handsomest that grace the 
roads of Detroit, and usuallj^ lead the other outfits 
wlien their owner holds the reins. 

Gen. Alger has an interesting family. His wifi' 
was Annette II. IIenr3-, the daughter of W. tJ 
Ileniy, of Grand Raijids, to whom he was marriec' 
April 2, 18GL She is a slender woman of fair com- 
plexion, bright and attractive, and a charming host- 
ess. She is gifted with man3' acctmiplishments and 
appears quite young. There are six children. Fay. 
a lively brunette, and Caroline A., who is rather tali 
and resembles her mother, have completed r. course 
at an Eastern seminary, and during the past yeai 
traveled in Europe. The remaining members of 
the family are Frances, aged 13; Russell A., Jr., 
aged 11 ; Fred, aged 9, and Allan, aged 3. All are 
bright and promising children. Gen. Alger makes 
his home at his handsome and large new residence on 
Fort street, at the corner of I'irst street, Detroit. 



/ \ 




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GOVEliSOiiS OF MICHIGAN. 





YRUS GRAY LUCE, the 
present Governor of Michi- 
gan, combines in his charac- 
ter the substantial traits of 
the New England ancestry 
of his father, and the chival- 
^^Ij-.^C-' v' ^ rous and hospitable elements 
^I^^^V peculiar to the Southerners, which 
(^Sj^^j came to him from his mother's side of 
^^|1&* the house. The New linglanders, act- 
;^4^jf<^33 ive in the cause of American libertj% 
"^^^^ after this desired result was accom- 




plished, turned tlieir attention to the 
growth and development of the 
country which their noble daring had 
constituted independent of foreign rule. The pri- 
vations they endured and the struggles from which 
they had achieved victory built up in them those 
qualities which in tlie veiy nature of events could 
not be otherwise tiian transmitted to their posterit}', 
and this posterity comprises a large number of the 
men who to-daj', like tlie subject of tliis history, 
arc making a record of which tlicir descendants will 
be equally proud. 

Gov. Luce was born in Windsor, Aslitabula to., 
Ohio, July 2, 1824. His fatlior was a native of 
Tolland, Conn., served as a soldier in the War of 
1812, and soon after its close emigrated from New 
England and settled on the Western Reserve in 
Northern Ohio. His motlier, who in her girlhood 
was Miss Mary Gray, was born in Winchester, Va. 
Her father, tinctured with Abolitionism, found his 
home in tlie Old Domiuiun becoming uncomforta- 
ble as an al)iding-|)lMce at tliat time, and accord- 
ingly, with iiis wife and family of young children. 



he also migrated, in 181.5, to tlie wilds of Nortiiern 
Ohio. Tlicrc the parents of our subject, in 181'.!, 
were united in marriage, and continued residents of 
Ashtabula County until 1836. There also were 
born to them six sons, Cyrus G. of this sketch being 
the second. 

The incidents in the early life of Gov. Luce were 
not materially different from those of other hoys 
living on the farms in that new countr^y. He was 
taught to work at anything necessary for him to do 
and to make himself useful around the pioneer 
homestead. Wlien twelve years of age his parents 
removed further West, tills time locating in Steu- 
ben County, Lid. This section of country was still 
newer and more thinly settled, and without recount- 
ino- the particular liardships and privations which tlic 
family experienced, itis sufficient to say that but few 
enjoyed or suffered a greater variety. Markets were 
distant and ditflcult of access, the comforts of life 
scarce, and sickness universal. Young Luce, in com- 
mon with other boys, attended school winters in the 
stereotyped log school-house, and in summer as- 
sisted in clearing away tlie forests, fencing tlie 
fields and raising crops after the land was improved. 
He attended three terms an academy located at On- 
tario, Lid., and his habit of reading and observation 
added essentially to his limited school privileges. 
When seventeen years of age the father of our 
subject erected a cloth-dressing and wool-carding 
establishment, where Cyrus <!. acquired a full 
knowledge of this business and subsequently had 
charge of the factory for a period of seven years. 
In the meantime he had become interested in local 
politics, in which he displayed rare judgment aiid 
sound common sense, and on account of which, in 
1848, he was nominated by the Whigs in a district 
composed of the counties of DeKalb and Steuben 
for Representative in the State Legislature. Hic 
made a vigorous canvass but was defeated by eleven 
majority. This incident was but a transient bub- 
I ble on the stream of his life, and that same year 



3 78 



CYRUS GRAY LUCE. 



Mr. Luce purchased eighty acres of wild land near 
Gilead, Branch Co., Mich., the improvement of 
which he at once entered upon, clearing away the 
trees and otherwise making arrangements for llie 
establishment of a homestead. In August, 1849, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Dickinson, 
of Gilead, and the young people immediately com- 
menced housekeeping in a modest dwelling on the 
new farm. Here they resided until the death of the 
wife, which took place in August, 1882. Mrs. 
Luce was tlic daughter of Obed and Experience 
Dickinson, well-to-do and higid}' respected residents 
of Gilead. Of her union with our subject there 
were born five children, one now deceased. 

In NovHml)cr, 1883, Gov. Luce contracted a sec- 
ond marriage, with Mrs. Mai'y Thompson, of Bron- 
son, this State. He continued on the same farm, 
which, Iiowever, by subsequent purcliase had been 
considerably extended, until after his election to the 
office of which he is now the incumbent. In the 
meantime he has had a wide and varied experience 
in public life. In 1 s,52 he was elected to represent his 
township in tlic County Board of Supervisors, and 
two years later, in 1851, was elected Representative to 
the first Republican Legislature convened in the Stata 
of Michigan. lie served his tov/nship altogether 
eleven j'cars as a member of the Board of Super v isors. 
In 1858 he was elected County Treasurer of Branch 
County and re-elected in 1800. In 1804 he was 
given a seat in the State Senate and re-elected in 
186C. In the spring of 18G7 he was made a member of 
the Constitutional Convention to revise the Consti- 
tution of the State of Michigan, and in all of the 
positions to which he has been called has evidenced 
a realization of the sober responsibilities committed 
to his care. To the duties of each hcgave the most 
conscientious care, and has great reason to feel pride 
and satisfaction in the fact that during his service 
in both Houses of the Legislature his name appears 
upon every roll-call, he never having been absent 
from his post a day. 

In July, 1879, IMr. Luce was appointed State Oil 
Inspector by Gov. Croswcll, and re-appointed by 
Gov. Jerome in 1881, serving in this capacity three 
and one-half years. In the management of the 
ilulies of this office he is entitled to great credit, 
'i'he offlco was not sought bv iiini, but the Governor 



urged him to accept it, claiming that the ofrice v.:i: 
the most difficult he had to fill, and was one which 
required first-class executive abilit3'. He organized 
tlie State into districts, appointed an adequate fi)rcc 
of deputies and no more, secured a reduction of the 
fees b^' nearly one-half, and in everj^ way managed 
the affairs of the office so efficiently and satisfac- 
torily that above all expenses he was enabled to 
pay into the State Treasury during his management 
§32,000.49. 

In August of the j'ear r88G Mr. Luce was nom- 
inated by the Republicans in convention assembled 
at Grand Rapids, for the office of Governor or 
Michigan by acclamation, and on the 2<1 of Novem- 
ber following was elected by a niajoritj' ol 7,432 
over his chief competitor, George L. Yaple. In 
1874 he became an a;'tivc member of the farm- 
ers' organization known as the Grange. Believing 
as he docs that agriculture furnishes the b.asis of 
National prosperit}'. he was anxious to contribute to 
the educatio'i and elevation of the farming com- 
munity, and thus availed himself of the opportuni- 
ties olTercd by this organization to aid in accom- 
plishing chis result. For a period of seven years he 
was Master of the State Grange but resigned the 
ifosition last November. Fidelity to convictions, 
close application to business, whether agricultural or 
aifairs of State, coupled with untiring industry, are 
his chief characteristics. As a farmer, legislator 
executive officer, and manager of county as well as 
State affairs, as a private as well as a public citizen, 
his career has all along been marked with success 
No one can point to a spot reflecting discredit ir 
his public career or private life. He is a man of 
the people, and self-made in the strictest sense. His 
whole life has been among the people, in fi.ll sym- 
pathy with them, and in their special confidence and 
esteem. 

Personally, Gov. Cyrus G. Luce is high-miiide.i, 
intellectual and affable, the object of many 
and warm friendships, and a man in all respects 
above reproach. To tlie duties of his high position 
he has brought a fitting dignitj', and in all the re-- 
latiiins of life that conscientious regard to duty of 
which we often read but which is too seldom seen, 
especially among those having within their hands 
tlie interests of .State and Nation. 




(Pe^tu?-L^^O /P /T'l^^-ha.^y^^ 



GOVEKNOIiS OF MICHIGAN. 



iSi 




?\''?VS^5'3<3-«=.- 










e^ VSi'V^ natives 




EDWIN B. WINANS, 

who began his duties as 
Governor of Mieliignn, 
January 1, 1891. is a son 
of the Empire Slate, of 
which his parents also were 
From German ancestry on 
the father's side, he derives tiie in- 
6"f ®^ stincts of frugality and careful cor,- 
sideratioii of ways and means, and 
these are strengthened by liie sub- 
stantial traits of the Puritan fore- 
fathers of his mother. Both lines 
have transmitted to liim the love 
of country and home tiiat has led 
vhousaiids into untrodden wilds where they might 
secure that which would be for the future good of 
themselves and posterity. 

John and Eliza (Way) Winans removed from 
New York to this .State in 1834, and settled on a 
farm in Livingston County, where the boj-hood of 
liov. Winans was passed. He was about eight 
years old at the time of the removal, h.aving been 
born at Avon, Livingston County, N. Y., May 16, 
1826. Up to the age of eighteen years he attended 
the district school, and he then entered Alliion 
College, from which he was graduated in ISafl. 
The excitement attendant upon the discovery of 



gold in California had not died out, and young 
Winans felt a strong desire to visit the coast and 
try his fortune in the mines. He decided in favor 
of the overland route, crossed the plains in safety, 
and spent the ensuing eight years in seeking the 
precious metal — a quest that was fairly successful. 

Returning to Livingston Count}', this State, Mr. 
Winans bought land and engaged in general farm- 
ing. He has retained the farm as his home through 
all the changes various official positions have 
brought him, and joyfully returned to it whenever 
his faithful discharge of public duty would allow. 
His estate now includes four hundred acres of land 
under a high state of cultivation and improved 
with buildings of the best construction and modern 
design. In connection with general farming Gov. 
Winans has given considerable attention to raising 
stock of high grades, and his understanding of 
agriculture in its various departments is broad and 
deep. He believes that his success in political life 
is largely due to his thorough identification with 
the agricultural interests of the State and no doubt 
he is right. 

The public career of Gov. Winans began in 1860, 
when he was elected to represent his county in the 
State Legislature. He served two consecutive 
terms, covering the period from 1860 to 1865. In 
1867 he was a member of the Constitutional Con- 



^2 



EDWIN B WINANS. 



vention of tlie State, and in 1876 he was eleL'ted 
Probate Judge of Livingston Count}' for a terra 
of four years. The next important position occu- 
|)ied l)y Gov. Winans was that of Congressman dur- 
ing tlie Fort\--eighth and P'orty-ninth Congresses, 
represrnling the Sixth District. It was always, liis 
lot to he nominated for office when the Democratic 
party was decidedly in the minority, but such v/ere 
his personal characteristics and his reputation as 
one interested in the welfare of that great class, 
tiie farmers, that in every case lie made a successful 
race. Wlien he was put up for Congress the oppo- 
sition had a majority in the district of three thou- 
sand votes, but he was elected by a pluralitj' of 
thirty. While in Congress he took an active part 
in all measures tending to the public good and 
served on the Committees on Agriculture and Pen- 
sions. In the fall of 1891 his name headed the 
Democratic ticket and he was elected Governor of 
the Stale. 

In his private life Gov. Winans has been as ex- 
emplary as in his public career he has been useful 
and influential. He is a consistent member of the 
Episcopal Church and in his religious faith and 
practice has the close sympathy of his wife, wlio 
oelon;;s to the same society. His marriage was 
solemnized in Hamburg, Livingston County, in 
1855, his bride being Miss Elizabeth Galloway, wlio 



was born and reared on the farm she still calls home, 
as it was bought of her father by Gov. Winans. 
She is a daughter of George and Susan (Haight) 
Galloway, who are numbered among the early 
settlers of Livingston County, whither they came 
from New York. She is an educated, refined woman, 
wliose mental attainments and social qualities fit 
her for the position which she occupies as hostess 
of the Gubernatorial mansion. Governor and Mrs. 
Winans have two sons, George G , who is now act- 
ing as his father's private secretary, and Edwin B., 
Jr., a graduate of West Point. 

Gov. Winans has in former years shown himself 
capable of close application to the duties which la}' 
before liim, and his judicious decisions and wise 
course when attempting to bring about a worthy 
object, are well known to those who are acquainted 
with tlie history of the State. Although it is often 
said that it is scarcely safe to judge of a man until 
his career is closed, yet Gov. W^inans has acted his 
part so well thus far in life that he is confidently 
expected to add to the credit that already belongs 
to the great commonwealth of Michigan, and which 
to a certain extent lies in the hands of those who 
have been and are its chief executives. Among his 
personal characteristics are those of a love of truth, 
justice and progress, and a cordial, kindly spirit 
which makes warm friends and stanch adherents. 









[^hii 



^'T^S 



ill 




.*. 



'-6H- 



m INT^RODUQT^ORY. 






3,HE time has arrived when it 
becomes the duty of the 
people of this county to per- 
petuate the names of tiieir 
pioneers, lo furnish a record 
of their early settlement, 
and relate the story of their 
progress. The civilization of our 
day, the enlightenment of the age 
and the duly that men of the pres- 
ent time owe to their ancestors, to 
themselves and to their posterity, 
demand that a record uf their lives 
and deeds should be made. In bio- 
graphical history is found a power 
to instruct man by precedent, to 
enliven the mental faculties, and 
to waft down the river of time a 
safe vessel in which the names and actions of the 
people who contributed to raise this country from its 
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly 
the great and aged men, who in their prime entered 
the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their 
heritage, are passing to their graves. The number re- 
maining who can relate the incidents of the first days 
jf settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an 
actual necessity exists for the collection and preser- 
vation of events without delay, before all the early 
settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time. 

To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind 
from remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enough, 
in spite of their i)est works and the most earnest 
efforts of their friends to perserve the memory of 
their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion 
and to perpetuate their memory has been in propor- 
tion ^to the amount of intelligence they possessed. 
Til ^ pyramids of Egypt were built to perpetuate the 
names and deeds of their great rulers. - The exhu- 
mations made by the archeologists of Egypt from 
buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people 



to perpetuate the memory of their achievements 
The erection of the great obelisks were for tl^e same 
purpose. Coming down to a later period, we find the 
Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monu- 
ments, and carving out statues to chronicle their 
great achievements and carry them down the ages. 
It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling 
up their great mounds of earth, had but this idea — 
to leave something to show that they had lived. All 
these works, though many of them costly in the ex- 
treme, give but a faint idea of the lives and charac- 
ters of those whose memory they were intended to 
perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of 
the people that then lived. The great pyramids and 
some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity ; 
the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum- 
bling into dust. 

It was left to modern ages to establish an intelli- 
gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating 
a full history — immutable in that it is almost un- 
limited in extent and perpetual in its action ; and 
this is through the art of printing. 

To the present generation, however, we are in- 
debted for the introduction of the admirable system 
of local biography. By this system every man, thougl 
he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, 
has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, 
througli the coming ages. 

The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the 
physical man is left. The monument which his chil- 
dren or friends may erect to his memory in the ceme- 
tery will crumble into dust and pass away ; but his 
life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, 
which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated 
by a record of this kind. 

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we 
engrave their portraits, for the same reason we col- 
lect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we 
think it necessary, a^ we speak only truth of them, to 
wait until they are dead, or until those who know 
them are gone: to do this we are ashamed only to 
publish to the world the history of those whose live^ 
are unworthy of oublic record. 




^-ajJ^J r9\A>^i 




(Z^^^AJ^ 







JSIOGRAPtfrCAL. 





^ A :\I E S f R A W K ( ) 1} I) ALLEN. 
^ ^ '/f^'h Tlie gentleniaii whoise portrait is 
W'i I j^^_, presented on the opposite page, 
,:' enjoys the rlistinction of being 
*^^i^_ a son of one of tiie founders of 
this heautifnl and schoListic city 
t>f Ann Arbor. His father, Jolin 
Allen, who was a man of great 
force of character and un- 
daunted enterprise, was born in 
Augusta County, Va., May 17, 
IT'.M). It was as early as Jan- 
uary 1824, when he came to 
the wild West and in coni])any 
with E. W. Kumsey and his 
wife, whom he met in De- 
Irol, located upon the site uf Ann Arbor, lie 
si)eculated largely in lands, and at one time 
owned many thousands of acres in the western part 
of the State. The hard time-^ of 1H37 brought 
heavy financial burdens ujion him and great losses, 
but he was of that nature which never sinks be- 
neath the load, and at all times he -worked for the 
ultimate development of Ann Arbor. In company 
with Mr. S. W. Dexter he was interested in the 
pulilication of the Wi'iitcri) Eiiilijraiit the first paper 
in this county. 

The first wife of .lohn Allen was Mary Crawford 
who belonged to an old family of Virginia. She 
became Mrs. Allen November 2, 1815, and died 
May 6, 1819, previous to her husband's migration 
to the West. His second wife was Mrs. Ann J. 
McCue, widow of Dr. William McCue, and daugh- 
ter of Thomas Bari-y, of Londonderry, Ireland. Mr. 
.Mien went to California in 18.')(), hoping to re- 
trieve his fortunes, init lii> life was not spared to 



acconn)lisli this great desiri', as he w.as called to his 
eternal rest, March 11, 1H.')1. 

Our subject was born in Augusta County, Va., 
six miles from Stanton, on the -Ith of October, 
181 R. His mother was taken from him by death 
when he w.as not quite three years old, leaving two 
children, this boy and a daughter, Elizabeth, who 
is now Mrs. William W. Wilson, of Markesan, 
Green Lake County, Wis. The second wife had 
two sons by a previous marriage, and by her union 
with Mr. Allen had one daughter, Sarah Ann, wiio 
married Dr. Waddell, of Augusta County, Va., and 
died there iiljout 1883. The paternal grandparents 
had come with the family to Ann Arbor, and in 
.July, 1828, the grandfather died, and James C. and 
his sister accompanied by their grandmother re- 
turned to Virginia, October 28, 1828. It was not 
until 1832 that our subject returned to Ann Ar- 
bor, where he remained until 1836, when he was 
sent to Lima, N. Y., to school, but not having good 
health he returned to Jlichigan, and undertook 
farm work in Pittsfleld Township, where he re- 
mained for a few years, and then came to Ann Ar- 
bor and clerked for some time. 

The marriage of our subject upon the ;»th of 
May, 1848, united him with Miss Martha T. Porter, 
daughter of Edward Porter, who came here from 
New York the previous year. The young couple 
removed to a farm near Tecumseh, where Mr. 
Allen remained for six years until after the death 
of the wife, January 8, 1852. Later he lived on 
the Pittstield farm for twelve years. In 1865 he 
removed to .Vnii Arlior, and for three years en- 
gaged in miscellane(nis business. He was again 
married April 2. 185(). to Miss Mary Jane Ayres, of 
Brooklyn, .lacksou County. Her parents were 



102 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



aiDuiig the pioneers of that c-ounty. and she liad 
grown to womanhood in Michigan. Her death oc- 
curred tiie last of Xoveinl)er, IHOH. in Ann Arbor 
Townsliip, and slie left four children. Mr. Allen 
now resides on his farm two miles north of the city. 
He has six hundred acres of finely improved laud, 
and three hundred of tliem arc under cultivation. 
He pays much attention to the breeding of fine 
horses and has s"ine fine Hambletonian stock. 

The present Mrs. Allen liorc the maiden name of 
I-iauces VAiza Ayers. and was united in marriage 
.vith our subject. March 29, 1873, and is a sister 
of the second wife, and was iier housekeeper for 
.six years, as she was frail in health. She is a 
woman of great capabilities, and highly esteemed 
by all who have known her throughout life, as her 
devotion to her sister was truly beautiful, and her 
efticiency unquestionable. She was born May 13, 
1836, in New Jersey. By the first marriage there 
were two children, one of wiiom died in infancy, 
and the other. Mary C. is the wife of Frank Wood, 
of Ann Arbor. Mrs. Mary .Jane Allen had four chil- 
dren, namely: Daniel Ayres Allen, who is a book 
.seller in Chicago; Martha J., who died at the age 
of fifteen; William McClung, wlio is in A. C. Mc- 
t'lurg's book store in Chicago; and Elizalieth Tiite, 
who is an invalid and at home. The jjre.sent Mrs. 
Alien lias two children, Frances Jose])iiine and 
Genevieve, the former being a student in the High 
School, and of most promising talents and cliarjic- 
ter. 

The .subject of this sUelch was lirsl a Whig, and 
later a Republican, and has voted for both Presi- 
dents Harrison. He has been a member of the 
Presbyterian Church since 186(5. has assisted largely 
in church purposes, and indeed in everything which 
lias bean calcul.ated to build up the county, lie is 
a man of wonderful energy, and like his father, is 
full i>f enterprise. In 1882 he made a visit back 
til the old home in Virginia, which he greatly en- 
joyed. 

All incident of great interest in tlic early life of 
our subject was connected with the first summer 
which his father's family spent in this vicinity. 
The Ruinsey and Allen families spent the summer 
together, living in a tent and an arli )r which was 
built on tlie south side of Huron Street, near the 



creek. As both Mrs. Rumsey and Mrs. Allen an- 
swered U> the name of Ann, the pretty and com- 
fortable booth was named by their husbands, Anns' 
.\rbor. whence came the name of our beautiful 
city. The father built a block house on the loca- 
tion now occupied by the Savings Bank, and there 
the family lived for two years, after which they 
reino\'ed into a house which was situated on the 
site of the livery stable now owned by Mr. Polie- 
inus. 

Shortly after the father of our subject settled in 
Ann Arbor, the entire Allen family consisting of 
the grandfather and grandmother of our subject, 
his uncle .Tames T., his two sisters and step-mother, 
came to this city in October and moved into the 
block house. The grandfather erected a sawmill 
with old-fashioned machinery and cog wheels made 
of maple wood, which was the first mill erected 
west of Detroit in this part of the country. Before 
he was nine years old James C. Allen assisted his 
grandfather in sawing the maple logs for the mill 
with the aid of a cross-cut saw. 



^♦i^l<^ 



w 



ILLIAM R. XAYLUR, deceased. The 
sketch here given is that of a former citi- 
zen and resident of Northfield Township, 
Washtenaw (^ounty, and is a tribute paid to his 
many virtues and to the lessons which as a father 
he impressed upon the minds of his children by 
the example of a noble and honorable life, which, 
although it was fraught with hard labor and 
patient industry, was a model to his heirs of the 
sterling qualities that characterized a man who 
lived nearer to nature in its purity than to the 
artifices of society. 

Mr. Maylor, whose decease was dei)lored by 
numerous people outside of his own immedi.ate 
circle, was born near Somerville, N. J., where he 
grew to maturity and married Miss Mary A. Hall. 
They first set up their -household gods and goods 
in their native place where two children were 
added to their household. After a residence of 
some time there they removed to Seneca, N. Y., 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



193 



where they resided for ten years and where three 
little ones were iidded to their family- In 1>^"'I 
they removed to Michigan and located in Waslilc- 
naw County and after eoming here llnvc other 
children enlarsjed the bounds of the family cijclc 
They then had a family of eight children, whose 
names are as follows: Sarah, John ^^, (ieorge II., 
Margaret, JIaitin and Martha who were twins, 
Rebecca and one who died in infancy while living 
in New York. 

Mr. Nayk)r is a son of 'I'lionias Naylor, who w.as 
probably born in New Jersey, but was descended 
from an English family. ()ursul>ject was a thor- 
ough-going farmer, one little given to display and 
who at all times attended to his own business. .\t 
an early day he was an old-time Whig, but later 
became identified with the Democratic pai tv. Our 
subject had three sons who still live in the county. 
They are John V., George H. and Martin. John 
V. came to Michigan with his parents when but 
twelve years of age and remained here where he 
grew to maturity and assisted in clearing his 
father's farm. In 1849 he was married to Miss 
Polly Bennett, who is a native of Steuben County, 
N. Y. To Mr. and Mi-s. John V. Naylor have 
never been vouchsafed the care of a child, but the 
largeness of their hearts is shown by the fact that 
they have reared two orphans who have grown to 
maturity and have married from beneath their 
roof. I'olilicallv .lohn V. is a Democrat. 



^^ 



Til ON. JAMES WEBSTER CHILI )S. Death 
ir)jl loves a shining mark, and in taking away 
^>^ the gentleman whose naine is at the head 
(^) of this sketch the State has been deprived 
of a man wlio had acquired a wide reputation, 
not only for mental acumen in commercial af- 
fairs and business life, but as statesman and 
legislator, having formerly represented the Eourth 
District in the House, and State Senate for 
eight terms. He was a native of New I lamp- 
Hampshire and was born June Ifi, 182(), being a 
son of Josiah and Abigail t hilds, natives of New 



Ilampshire. The young man grew up in his native 

State and early in life conceived the idea of becom- 
ing Mil cdiK'atoi'. He had taken the preparatory 
cour-f for college, confidently expecting to enter 
iiiif of the institutions of the East, when, owing to 
ill health, lie \va.~ <-ompelled to give up the idea, a 
severe blow to him in more respects than one. 

.Vlthovtgli disappointed in his university career, 
our subject received a very good education, and 
while engaged in teaching he i)ursued a course 
of study, and doubtless acquired as much as do 
many young men in a university course. To the 
other branches winch he taught he added penman- 
ship, in which lie was [)articnlarly proficient and 
from the income derived in this way he was en- 
abled to j)ursue his own studies under very good 
conditions. A man of wide reading, thoughtful 
and of excellent judgment and discrimination, he 
talked well on every subject and was gifted as an 
orator, so that as time passed on at every public occa- 
sion when it was desired that party principles 
should be explained to the public, Mr. Childs was 
selected by common consent, as being tlie best and 
most forcible speaker, and with the greatest ability 
to convince the general mind. 

August 30, 1848, the original of our sketch was 
married in New Hampshire, to Miss Lucy A, Hub- 
bard, who was a native of the same State with him- 
self and who was born September 13, 1825, in 
Ciaremont, N. H. She was a daughter of Solomon 
and Amarilla (Cowles) Hubbard. Her father was 
a native of Connecticut and her mother of New 
IIam|)sliire. She was educated at the Kimball Union 
Academy, of Meridan, N. H.. and adds the charm 
of a well stored mind to her personal attractions. 

-Vfter their marriage, in 1848, Senator Childs 
and his wife emigrated to Michigan and settled on 
the farm where his widow now resides. It must 
iiave been a great trial to the gentlewoman to 
leave her early home of culture and refinement and 
to take up new lines in a pioneer country. How- 
ever, togethei- they bravely resolved to make the 
best of the matter and the young husband first pur- 
chased eighty acres of land which was partially 
improved, although the surrounding country was 
almost entirely virgin forest, for they were among 
the early pioneers of Augusta Township, Mr, 



194 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAFHICAL ALBUM. 



Childs added at various times to his original pur- 
chase, until he was the owner of about four hun- 
dred acres of as tine land as there is in tlie county, 
at the time of his death. He devoted his attention 
to general farming, gaining extensively in stock, 
wliicli lie was most successful in raising. They also 
carried on a most ]irofltal<le dairy business for 
years, and, indeed, the handsome fortune that tlie 
couple accumulated was only acquired liy constant 
industry. Mr. Childs was full of energy and per- 
severance until the last, and was an excellent man- 
ager. He soon i)ecaine known as a man of 
unswerving integrity and of fine business qualifi- 
cations. He was earlj^ elected Supervisor of 
Augusta Township and served in that capacity for 
several years under the old law. lie also served as 
Scliool Superintendent, in which work he was par- 
ticularly interested, as his early enthusiasm for edu- 
cational work never left him. 

In 1869 Gov. Baldwin appointed our sul)ject as 
a member of tlie Board of the Michigan Agricul- 
tural College; he was subsequently twice reap- 
pointed, holding the position at tlie time of his 
death. He was President of the Fanners' and 
Meelianics' Trade Association for twelve years. 

Previous to our subject's election as Senator he 
served for two years in the Lower House of the 
.State Legislature and during that term his ability 
was so conclusively tested and his integrity as a 
man and a representative of tlie ptople was so sat- 
isfactory that he was subsequently elected State 
Senator, which position he filled for six consecu- 
tive years, acting in such a way as to reflect the 
greatest credit upon his constituents as well ai> upon 
liiinself. A fervent Republican in his political 
principles, he was a stronghold of that party in his 
section and accomplished some of the best work 
done in that direction in the vicinity that he rep- 
resented. He h.ad been spoken of as Governor of 
the State l)y liis political friends, but positively de- 
clined to consider such a candidacy. In these 
days of party corruption a man who is noted for his 
conscientiousness in State affr irs is so rare a thing 
.IS to attract generalattention. The strongest hold 
th-it our subject had upon his constituency was his 
wide reputation for political honesty, lie was 
impervious to liribes. 



In private life Senator Childs was simple and 
unassuming. He and liis wife were members of the 
Congregational Church and both active in .Sunday- 
sciiool work. Tlie cause of temperance w.a-s also 
one in which Mr. Ciiilds wjis .an ardent supporter. 
A man whose geniality extended to all classes of 
society, he was ever i)0i)ular, and at his death there 
W.1S general mourning, and those who knew him 
most intimately and were acquainted with his 
frailties as well as his strong points loved him 
best. He was an enterprising citizen and a success- 
ful business man, as the fine estate which he left 
attests. His widow now occupies the farm, which 
comprises two hundred and ten acres. Senator 
Ciiilds had a State reputation as a temperance 
worker and was the fii-st President of the Legisla- 
tive Temperance Society, at Lansing, this .State. 
He was a brother of the Hon. Aaron Childs 
(deceased) ^nd Josiah Childs, the latter being 
among the octogenarian and honorable pioneei-s of 
\V\asiitenaw County. The decease of Senator 
Ciiilds took place November 8, 1882. Tlie cortege 
that followed him to his last resting place com- 
prised many of the most eminent men in the State, 
who were proud to claim our subject as a friend 
and associate. 



IIC^^I® 



^/ LEX WHITE HAMILTON is the Presi- 
ks/Ul . dent and Superintendent of the Ann Ar- 
l)or AVater Company. He was born in 
Salem, this county, March 6, 1848, and is 
a son of Warren Hamilton, a ijative of Massachu- 
setts, and who was born at Pelham in 1816. For 
many years after coming to Michigan he was .Sec- 
retary and Tre.isurer of the Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company of Washtenaw Count}-, and held a prom- 
inent place in the confieence of the people. He 
was a son of Joel Hamilton, of Scotch descent. 
Col. Warren Hamilton, the father of our subject, 
was Colonel of a regiment of .State militia of 
Michigan, and hence the title. 

The mother of our subject was Miss Anna Wal- 
dmn. She was born in the town of Romulus, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



195 



•Seneca County, N. Y., in 1817. She was a daugli- 
ter of Ricliard Waldron, who was a Uneal descciifl- 
ant of Baron Resolve AVakhon, of Holland, and 
who had tiie Hrst land grant in the eitv of New 
Vork. given hy the king of Holland foi' services 
rendered to his native country. Warren Hamil- 
ton came to Michigan when only eighteen years 
old, and settled in Salem Township, where he 
carried on general farming ft>r a number of years. 
He was married after coming here, at about the 
age of twenty-one. He then removed to Ann 
Arbor, and there became Secretary and Treasurer 
of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company. His 
death occurred in 1877, and he left a widow and 
six children, four of whom are still living. 

Alex. W. Hamilton is the fifth in order of birth 
of the family. He spent his youth on the farm 
and received the rudiments of his education at the 
district school. He entered the High School at 
Ann Arbor, and completed the course in two 
years, after which he entered the Classical Depart- 
ment of the University of Michigan, graduating 
in 1871, and taking the degree of Baciielor of 
Arts. In 1873 the degree of A. M. was conferred 
The succeeding year he devoted to study in the 
law course in the University of Michigan, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1872 and commenced the 
practice of his profession in the Athens of the 
AVest. In 1881 he was made the Secretary of the 
Toledo and Ann Arbor Railroad, and during his 
term of office was Attorney for the road. Resum- 
ing his law i)ractice, he was instrumental in organ- 
izing numerous business enterprises, among others 
the water company, which was organized in 1885. 
and under this organization our subject is now 
President and Superintendent. Under his execu- 
tive management much has been accomplished. 
Twenty-five miles of water mains have been laid in 
the city, and the works are among the most per- 
fectly constructed in the State. This has not only 
required time on the part of Mr. Hamilton, but 
also large investments in money. 

Aside from the interests above mentioned, Mr. 
Hamilton is one of the Directors of the Michigan 
l-'uruiture Company, which employs from eighty 
to one hundred men. The fine tract of land com- 
prising forty-live acres, in the southern part of the 
i 



city, is laid out as an addition by Hamilton, Rose 

it Sheehan, the center of which is a park compris- 
ing eight and one-half acres, donated to the cit^v 
and called Hamilton I'ark. Mr. Hamilton owns 
tlie line building known :is the Hamilton Block, 
which is situated on the corner of Huron and 
Fourth Streets. 

October 3, 1877, Mr. Hamilton was united in 
marriage with Miss May Hale, a daughter of Lo- 
renzo 1). Hale, of Ann Arbor. She is a native of 
.lackson County, this State. Mrs. Hamilton is an 
attractive woman, who presides with dignity and 
elegance over their pleasant home. Our subject 
is a stanch Republican, and an influential man in 
the State. He has been a member of the Presby- 
terian Church for twenty years past, and is one of 
its Trustees. Mr. Hamilton cast his flrst vote 
for U.S. Craut.and his Last for Benjamin F. Harri- 
son. 



OIIN STARKWHATIIKK. Man does 
not come into the world full grown. He 
learns a few isolated facts and from these 
xv^^^' he evolves related truths and only at the 
time of saying '"vale" to the world is he a m.an in 
stature and intellect. His life is but a preparatory 
school for the life to come. It is so with every 
one and not less so to the man whose name is 
above. . He developed, he acquired, lie struggled, 
he died, when to the finite mind he was only read\' 
to live well, but a nobler life is continued above. 

Our subject died February 2, 1883. He had 
retired at the time of his decease from active busi- 
ness and made his home in the town of Ypsilanti, 
where he is surrounded by C(mgenial friends and 
neighbors. His home was located on the site now 
occupied by the Ladies' Library. ■ His death left 
widowed the companion of his manhood years. 
Mrs. Starkweather is an estimable lad}-, wlnj still 
makes her home in this cit}-. She w.as in her 
maiden days a Miss Mary A. Newberry and born 
at Waterville, Oneida County, N. Y., September 22, 
1819. She is a daughter of Klihu ,and Rhoda 



196 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



(Phelps) Newberry, both of wliom wei-e born at 
AVindsor, near Hartford, Conn. After the mar- 
riaire of Mr;*. Starkweather's [jariMits they removed 
lo Oneida County and tliere lived until 1836, Mr. 
Newl)erry being a business man whose efforts in 
tliat direction were crowned witli siiceess. He 
moved to Detroit in 1836 and soon after eiianged 
his jjlace of residence to Komeo, Macomb County, 
wiiere he purchased a tract of new land. Mrs. 
Starkweather met and married her husband in 
I);'troit. their marriage being solemnized .June .5. 
1839. 

.loliu .Starkweather was born in Truniansburg, 
Seneca County, N. Y., July 24. 1807, and came to 
Detroit in 1836. He was first employed in the 
office of the State Superintendent of Public 
Instruction and while thus engaged lie purchased 
the farm near Ypsilanti which the family after- 
ward occupied and which the widow now owns, 
the deed being signed by the President, Andrew 
Jackson. It was part of the school lands set aside 
I)V the State and never has changed hands. After 
marriage they resided in Marshall for two years 
and then, M.arch 12, 1841, came lo this place, 
spending thirty-four years on their farm, which is 
only one and a half miles west of the city. They 
occupied that until the fall of 187.5, imjiroving 
it and ni;iking of it a comfortalile and delightful 
home. 

Feeling that the time had passed fur active 
em])lov in agricultural labor and also feeling the 
need of being more accessible to friends and 
neighbors, they purchased a place on Huron Street, 
where they lived until the death of our suliject 
and three years after that sad bereavement the 
widow continued in the place and held it in her 
name until the house and a portion of the lot was 
deeded by her to the "Ladies' Library" in 1890. 
Besides the ground, which is verv valuable, she 
also made a gift of the residence, which is a brick 
structure and all that appertains thereto, moreover 
a fine memorial window, of art glass, made 
at Tiffany's, N. Y. ^Irs. Starkweather about 1887 
commenced the erection of a chapel at Highland 
Cemetery, which has cost her $10,000. In this 
also are l)eaiitiful memorial windows inade by 
Tiffan\-. in rt'monilirance of Hlioda Newberiv. lier 



mother; John S. Newberry, a brother who died 
in Detroit; Ira M. AVeed. who came here as a 
Presbyterian clergyman as early a.s 1832; and 
another for the Rev. John I). Pierce, who was 
State Superintendent of Public In.struction and 
with whom Mr. Starkweather was associated at an 
earl\- diiy, and who will be recognized by many 
who are interested in educational matters as the 
father of tlie Michigan school system. The chapel 
is for the religious use of any who desire services 
in the cemetery. The building is exceptionally 
fine, the style of architecture and the working <mt 
of detail lieing harmonious with the place. Its 
interior decorations are very beautiful. 

Besides this munificent gift ]Mrs. Starkweatiier 
has donated to the city a very fine humane drink- 
ing fountain, where both man and beast may slake 
their thirst. It is surmounted by a statue of 
Hebe. This was erected in 1889 and besides add- 
ing a feature of beauty to the city, it has proved a 
great Itlessing to the people of this place. The 
lady who has so munificently contributed of her 
store to the city with which she has been identified 
so long, is associated in her religious creed with 
the Presl)vterian Church, of which she has been a 
member for more th.an half a centu ry. .She has, 
moreover, been very generous in her contributions 
to the upbuilding and support of new and strug- 
gling church organizations in different i)laces. 
AVere there more who, like Mrs. Starkweather, 
would avail themselves of the opportunity to make 
themselves blessed in the sight of God and man bj' 
employing their fortune .a-s has she, the world 
would be better, and man, as an individual, purer 



',|p?|,KNJAAIlN 1). KELLY, one of Michigan's 
|L-is^ native sons, wa« born September 22, 1847, 
//SjjJ) in Washtenaw County, being a son of 
^^f Christian and Sarah A. (Steers) Kelly. The 
mother was born July 24, 1812, and still survives, 
while tlie father, who was born near Berne, Switzer- 
land, in lH09.has passed to the other life. Christ- 
ian Kelly migrated with his parents to America at 



PORTRAIT A'SD BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



197 



the age of nine j'ears, and when sixteen years old 
came, in 1825, to ^lieliigan, settling on section 2H, 
Ypsilanti Townsliij), AVashtenaw County, where lio 
became one of tlic earliest pioneers. He was the 
father of ten children, nine of wliom are living. 

The brothers and sisters of our subject are. Will- 
iam W., who lives in Minnesota; Anne, Mrs. S. R. 
Crittenden, of Eaton Ila{)ids; Christian, now Cleric 
of Ypsilanti Township, and .lane, Mrs. F. W. Hor- 
ner, of Augusta Township. The father was orig- 
■ inally a Whig but after the formation of the 
Republican party joined its ranks. In his deatli, 
which took place November 2.3, 1869, the county 
lost one of its most public-spirited and useful men. 
He did a great amount of genuine pioneer work, 
felling hundreds of trees and preparing land for 
cultivation. 

Mr. Kelly was a sturdy helper of his father in 
the pioneer days and devoted much of his time to 
the farm, taking, however, wliat education he could 
gain from the district schools. His first marriage, 
wliich took place in 1869, united him with Kniily 
Moore, who bore him five children, three of whom 
are living, namely: Lewis C., Anna and Mary. The 
wife and mother passed from earth April 1. 1883. 
The second wife of our subject bore the maiden 
names of Helen Pester, and she had one son, Will- 
iam B. 

In his early manhood Mr. Ivelly wu?. for a while 
during 1864 in the employ of the (government, 
being with construction parties on railroads, build- 
ing high l)ridges and working under military con- 
trol under the command of Gen. .Sherman. He 
was thus engaged for five and one-half months. 
After this time he returned to Michigan where he 
has since remained, and where he now owns a fine 
tract of one liundred and seventy-five acres of land. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Kelly take an active interest in 
.social matters and have a hospital)le home to which 
their neighljorsare ever welcome. Jlrs. Kelly is an 
active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
at Ypsilanti. 

For a number of \enrs Mr. Kelly has ))een en- 
gaged in lueeding .Shropshire .sheep, which are 
registered, as also are his thoroughbred .Short-horn 
and l>urhani cattle. He is m.aking a specialty in 
these lines and is verv successful. He is gaining a 



reputation as a breeder of tine sheep and cattle, 
not only throughout the township but in other 
parts of the county. He is alive to matters of 
l)ublic importance and deei)ly interested in the 
success of the l\ei)ublican part^' with which he has 
lon<>: l)een identified. 



-^^ 



"ll — ^V. BA.SSETT was bdiii in Onondaga 
!|m| County, N. Y.. ,Iuly 8. ]M2. He is a son 
y^ of Ira Bassett. of Litchfield County, Conn., 
V^) who emigrated to the United .States when 
a young man and came to Michigan in 1839. He 
located first at Lodi Plains, in the township of 
Lodi, where he purchased a tract of land and en- 
gaged in farming, pursuing this calling until his 
decease, which occurred in .June, 188.5. He was 
born in November, 1799. Our subject's grand- 
father, Nathan Bassett, a n.ative of Massachusetts, 
was probably of AV'elsh descent, while our subject's 
mother was prior to her mari'iage, iIarciH»-Hunt, a 
native of New Y'ork. She still survives and makes 
her home at Ann Arbor with a son. .She is the 
mother of five children, all of whom are living. 

Our subject was reared on the home farm and 
received a district-school education, after which lie 
attended Ludding's Academy. He then entered 
the Jlichigan University at Ann Arlior in 1850, 
graduating in 1854 from the literary department. 
After finishing his own cour.se at college he en- 
gaged for some time in teacliing, his first year be- 
ing spent at Tecuniseh in teaching languages and 
his work .as a pedagogue extending from 1855 to 
1860 in Illinois and Michigan, during which time 
he was also actively' interested in the study of 
civil-engineeering. Since 1861 Mr. B<assett has 
been engaged in farming in Lodi Townshi]>, but 
in May, 1891, he retired from the .active jjursuit of 
this work and moved to S.aline. 

The marriage of our subject was solemnized in 
1862, his ))ride ))eing Miss F. M. Fowler, who was 
born in .S.aline Township. They are the parents of 
one child, Clifi'ord E., who is a graduate of the 
.Saline Union School and who luas spent one year 



198 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



iu the department of pharmacy at Ann Arbor. He 
is now engaged as Postal Clerk on the ISIiehigan 
Central Railroad between Detroit and Chicago. 

An ardent Republican in his iiolitical belief, in 
1890 our subject was a candidate for tlie position 
of Representative from his district; his district is, 
however, largely Democratic and hence he lost it. 
He has held various local otlices, having been on 
School Board for several years and of which he is 
now President. The past few years have been 
spent by our subject in following the career of his 
choice, which is th.it of surveyor. While he is liber.il 
in religious views, Mrs. Bassett is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject owns 
one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land 
just outside the corporate limits of Saline. 



Cil rmUAAXU C'AMPHKIJ.. Xo belter cilizens 
\rJ// have come to Wjislitenaw County, tlian 
'^tW those who emigrated from Bonn.>- Scotland 
and who brought as their inheritance from High- 
land ancestry the traits of character and life which 
have ever distinguished th.at race. Among these 
we find in Pittsticld Township, Mr. CamjjbeU who 
was born in Aja-shire, Scotland, December 21, 
IH'29 and is the son of Robert and Anna (Muir) 
('ampl)ell. Their immediate ancestors had come 
from tiie Highlands in 1688 and had located in 
Ayrshire, making that their home. 

The father was b3' occupation a farmer and for 
four generations his progenitors had followed tliat 
same vocation. The family came to America in 
1842 and located in August Township, Washte- 
naw County, and there began to clear a fai-m 
while the State of Michigan was still in its infancy. 
There was a world of work to do in that untrod- 
den wilderness and it was a Herculean task to [U'e- 
pare the land for tillage. 

Our subject had attended school some in Scot- 
lanil and entered the district .schools after coming 
liere, completing his education at the Normal 
School at Ypsilanti, taking a full classical course 
of four years, and gr.adu.atinsi: in 18.')7. Ills first 



efforts for himself were by way of teaching in St. 
Clair County and tliwi in Mt. Clements in Macomb 
County. This he followed for about four years 
anil in 18(;2 lie made a visit to England, spending 
a yeai' visiting the World's P'air and renewing old 
associations. After his return he devoted himself 
himself to the service of the (Government, raising 
funds and securing recruits for the army. 

Mr. Campbell went to Ypsilanti in 1865 and 
took a position as cashier of the Farmers' Associ- 
ation Store, which was opened at that place and 
this lie continued for a period of twelve years. At 
the close of that time this store with other property 
at Ypsilanti was burned, but he continued residing 
in tliat city until 1881 when he came on to tiiis 
place of two hundred and thirty acres where he 
now lives on sections 3 and 10, and here he hfis 
been engaged from that day to this. Besides his 
home farm he has other laud in Wayne County, 
this State. 

In regard to ])olitical matters our subject favors 
the Hepuljlican party and while he has never 
sought ollice for himself he has ever earnestly en- 
deavored to keep good men in responsible posi- 
tions. He has always been a .school man and 
actively promotes all progress in educational mat- 
ters and is in favor of having the best facilities 
for school work. In religion he is connected with 
the Presb^'terian Church .as are also the members 
of his family. He has been for the past twenty 
years a stockholder of the Eastern Michigan Pair 
Association at Ypsilanti and in that body he held 
for two years the olHce of president .and for some 
fifteen j'ears that of Treasurer. 

The marriage of our subject took place August 
2;3, 1858 — Sarah M. AuUs of Bridgewater, being 
his bride. She was a daughter of William H. 
Anils, a farmer of this county. She died in 1859, 
having given birth to one child — William A., who 
was born June 26, 1859 and is now Demonstrator 
of Anatom}' at the Michigan I'niversity, from 
which he graduated some ten years ago and wilii 
which he has since been connected. 

Mr. Campbell's second marri.nge took place July 
25, 1867, and he w.as tlien united with l\Iary R. 
AuUs, a sister of his first wife. She is tlie mother 
of two children. Robert Claii-, burn .Vugust 25, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



199 



1870 and Sarah, April 20, 1875, botli of whom 
are residing at liome. The son is in his Soplioniore 
year in the University and tlie daiigliter attending 
the High School. This intelligent farmer is a 
l)reeder of tlioroiighbred Durham cattle, l^eeps a 
good grade of horses and raises a variety of crops. 
In public matters Mr. Campbell has been re- 
markably useful and .ictive, altliougli he lias no 
itching for office. He is a Director of llie Waslite- 
naw County Mutual Insurance Company and h.as 
frequently been appointed to settle tlie estates of 
deceased townsmen. When his father died in 
1888 he had the estate to administer upon and to 
settle up for tlie family which he did to tlie satis- 
f.action of all. He is active in many public eiiter- 
jirises and is a great advocate of reforms in regard 
to taxes and public improvements. He has done 
much to improve the road laws of ihe State, and 
was efficient in promoting the building of the 
railroad from Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti. He has 
one lirother who is a professor of Dartmouth Col- 
lege and both he and a ministerial brother were 
graduates of the State University at Ann Arbor. 



"^^- 



IRAM P. THOMPSON. Among the prom- 
V- inent and successful agriculturists and 
stock-raisers of Washtenaw County, we take 
pleasure in introducing to our readers the 
worthy subject of this sketch — one of the most 
popular and public-spirited citizens of Augusta 
Township, who resides on section 19, of this town- 
slii]> and county. He is a native of Washtenaw 
County, having been born here August 25, 18.39. 
He is a son of Hiram and Hannah (Emerson) 
Thompson, both of whom are natives of Maine. 
His grandfather Thompson was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War, and Hiram Thompson, our 
subject's father, was a pioneer of Michigan in 
18.'50, settling at once in Washtenaw County and 
Augusta Township, on the farm which our subject 
now owns and resides upon. He purchased here 
three hundred and twenty acres of land from the 
(ioveniment. paying for it *1.25 pt'r acre. 



The tirst home occupied by our subject's parents 
in this State was like most pioneer residences, a 
log house built in the midst of the woods. 'Iliere 
were no roads and of necessity they had to clear 
their own path to the nearest neighbor and to the 
public highway, which deserved that name only 
by compliment. They resided there until 1847, 
when the residence which our subject now occupies 
was built. At that time it was considered a very 
elegant mansion and is even now comfortable and 
roomy. Previous to his death Hiram Thomjison 
removed to Ypsilanti and there died in .luly, 1880. 
His widow still survives and is ninety-one years of 
age, being one of the oldest living pioneer women 
of the county. Her husband had served in several 
of the township offices of Augusta. He was an 
ardent Republican and w.as the reeiiiient of many 
party favors, holding office in various cap.acities. 
In liis death the county lost one of her highly 
esteemed pioneer settlers. 

The original of our sketch was reared amid 
scenes of pioneer life and can recall many incidents 
and adventures which the Michigan youth of to- 
day in the enjoyinent of the advantages for which 
the early settlers laid the foundation in self-denial 
and hardships, can scarcely realize. He wa» reared 
on the farm and the duties of agriculture soon be- 
came an open book to him, the advances in science 
and the inventions in agricultural implements 
lightening the burdens of the farmer, being pages 
turned succassively to his interest and delight. His 
first school days were spent in the home district, 
after which he attended for some time the Seminary 
and Normal School of Ypsilanti and was thus men- 
tally equipped for the struggle with the exigencies 
of life and enabled to cope successfully with most 
positions. 

Our subject's marriage took jjlaee September 19, 
1866. His bride was Adelia Watrous, a daughter 
of Lutber and Electa Watrous of Wyomiug County, 
N. Y. This estimable couple have been denied the 
love and care of children of their own, but they 
have adopted a daughter and lavish upon her the 
wealth of their affection. She is by name Cora. 
Mr. Thompson is the owner of three hundred acres 
of land which is under a tine state of cultivation. 
His farm is well improved aiul besides his present 



200 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



residence, which is a center of doineslic liappiness, 
lie has capacious barns and oiitbuilding-s. His is 
one of the best farms in the township .and com- 
mands the attention of the most casual observer by 
reason of the neatness and taste displayed in its 
care and division. Our subject is a Republican in 
politics and a man of the progressive sort. A gen- 
eral farmer, he is, however, particularly interested 
in raising graded Merino sheep. Mrs. A. Williams, 
of Ypsilanti, is the (mly surviving member of our 
subject's family, l^iberal himself in church affairs 
and cr'^eds, his wife is identified with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and is one of its ardent and in- 
terested workers. The biographer has found ISIr. 
Thomjjson to be a man well informed on all current 
topics, a good conversationalist and a gentleman of 
unquestioned ability. He is of a genial disposition 
and in his beautiful home he and his good wife ex- 
tend their hospitality cordially and lavishly. 



^^, HAKLES H. ^YI^'ES is a native of the 
(l( township of Shoreham, Addison County. 

^^^ \'t. He was born in November, 1823, and 
is a son of Maidon and .\nnie (Mowerson) Wines, 
natives of New .Jersey, who were married in 1814, 
after which the}' removed to X'ermont. The father 
was one of the celebrated JSIinute Men in that State 
in the War of 1812 and .afterward drew a bounty 
of one hundred and sixty acres of land. 

A mechanic by trade, the elder Mr. Wines en- 
gaged in farming in ^■ermont until 1834, when he 
came to .Sylvan Township, Mich., which at that time 
was sparsely settled. He located on section 24, and 
purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land 
at (iovernment price. 1 here was no road any 
place near his tract and the place was utterly wild. 
He built a log house and began the work of clear- 
ing the land and continued to live thereon until 
his death, with the exception of nine years that he 
spent in Chelsea while engaged in his trade. With 
our subject he built the first Iniildiiig in Chelsea. 
His decease occurred in 18()8 and his wife died in 
1870. lie was elected on the (irst ll.iMid of .lus 



tices that was elected in the township, lemaining 
ou the Board for seventeen years and for two j'ears 
was Supervisor. In his youthful days he was a fol- 
lower of the Democratic party but transferred his 
allegiance to the Republican party, to which he re- 
mained true to the last. Both he and his wife 
were members of the Congregational Church, in 
which body he held the oflices of Clerk and 
Deacon. 

Mr. Wines is one of six children, two of whom 
died in infancy and only two now survive, our 
subject and Emma C., who is now Mrs. C. H Letts. 
Our subject's maternal grandparents were William 
and Nellie (Baldwin) Wines, natives of New Jer- 
sey. He, however, carried on his calling as a 
farmer in A'ermont and thence removed to Michi- 
gan in 1835. making his home with his son Mahlon 
until his death, his wife having passed away in 
A'erm(mt in 1823. He was the head of a large 
family of twelve children. In early years a Whig, 
later in life he became an Abolitionist. In his 
church relations he was a Congregational ist. He 
was a son of Barnabas Wines, a native of New 
Jersey and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. 
The family is of Welsh descent. Our subject's 
mother was a daughter of Moses and Annie Mower- 
son, natives of New Jersey and direct descendants 
of one of the kings of Holland. 

Charles H. Wines was educated in the primary 
schools of Vermont and Jlichigan. He w.as reared 
a farmer lad and early learned the trade of a mason 
from his father, filling in the dull seasons of farm 
work l)y engaging at his trade at various i^laces. 
On reaching manhood he assumed the man.igement 
of the farm, continuing on the same until 1887. 
The place with which he has been identified so long 
and which in every. feature is an evidence of his 
good management, is an excellent farm which 
boasts good buildings. Mr. Wines is also a large 
property owner in various jiarts of the State. He 
has been largely interested in the raising of fine 
stock and introduced the first Durham cattle in 
this township. He was the proud possessor of a 
number of tine blooded horses and Spanish-Merino 
sheei). For four years he was one of the Trustees 
of the Hillsdale Life Insurance Company located 
.V llilisdali'. I'oliti.-allv he is a RcpiiblicMii. For 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



201 



two 3'ears he was Presideut of the Agricultui'nl 
Society and for two years was its Secretary. 

Our subject's marriage took place in 1847, at 
which time he was united to Aliss Emily Durand, 
of this township. She was a daughter of David 
Durand, a native of Seneca County, N. Y., who 
came to Michigan in 1835 and settled tirst in Jack- 
son, coming later to this township. The union of 
our subject and his wife was blest by four chil- 
dren, as follows: Harriet, Gabrella, Walter C. and 
Charles S. The first-born is now Mrs. James H. 
Hepburn and is the mother of four children — 
Charles, Eddy, Albert and May. (xabrella is Mrs. 
Fred H. Armstrong; Walter married Sarah Beth- 
wick, by whom he had one son, Walter C. Bereft 
of his first wife he again married, his bride being 
Lillian Hadger. Charles S. married Linda Duncan 
who died in 1890, leaving one daughter, Roena. 
Tlie mother of these children died in 1874. 

Converted at the age of fifteen years, Mr. Wines 
became a communicant of the (Congregational 
Church. He was again married, his wife being 
Mrs. Fanny Emniett, who was born in Augusta, 
this county. By this marriage there were two chil- 
dren, only one of whom, Emma M., survives. Mrs. 
Wines is a daughter of Erastus A. and Fanny E. 
(Dickenson) Spalding, natives of Orleans County, 
N. Y. The former came to Michigan about 1823 
and settled in Augusta Township, this county, 
where he spent the remainder of his life. He was 
an enthusiastic AVhig. Mi's. Wines is one of four 
children she being the only one now living. Her 
family is of English ancestry. The first represen- 
tative who located in this country settled in Massa- 
chusetts in the sixteenth centui-y. On the maternal 
side Mrs. Wines inherits literary tendencies. Her 
grandfather was a teacher of note. Mrs. Wines 
was educated at the State Normal School at Ypsi- 
lanti and with the exception of three years was 
engaged as a teacher from the time she was fifteen 
years old until thirty-nine. She was principal in 
the grammar department of the Kalamazoo High 
School for seven years and also at Racine, AVis. 

For the past five years Mrs. Wines has been 
President of the Jackson Association consisting of 
twenty churches and does the corresiiondence for 
home missions for the Congregational Clnircli. 



She has laborecl in the Women's Christian Tein- 
l»eiaiice Cnioii and has a class of fifteen young 
and old men in the Sunday-school. Previous to 
her marriage with our subject Mrs. Wines was the 
widow of Samuel D. Enimett whom she married in 
1865. He was a native of Ontario, Canada, and a 
son of Stephen and Lydia (l)olson) Emmett. 
Samuel D. came to Michigan in 1858 and engaged 
in farming, also in the rnanufacturing of brooms. 
He lived only three years after marriage, his de- 
cease occurring in 18()8; he left liis widow one son, 
Morgan J. 



m\^m 



ELBHIDOE O. TAYJ>()R was a native of the 
old Bay State, where Ive was born January 
'• 4, 1826. He was reared on a farm there 

and when eighteen years of age he came to Mich- 
igan and settled in St. Joseph County. He re- 
mained there for a few years, thence coming to 
LjTidon Township, and worked as a farm laljorer. 

He was married, in 1854, to Miss Eliza J. John- 
son of Lyndon Township. She is a daughter of 
William T. and Euphema (Lindsay) Johnson, nat- 
ives of Essex C'ouuty, N. Y. The former was a 
farmer by calling and after his marriage in the 
Empire State came to Michigan in 1842 and settled 
in AVaterloo Township, Jackson County, where he 
at once engaged in the agricultur.al business. He 
lived and died in Waterloo Township, but gave 
up farming a few years prior to his decease. He 
was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He and 
his wife were the parents of seven children, only 
three of whom are now living Mrs. S. A. Hoyce, 
Mrs. E. M. Howe, and Mrs. E. .1. Taylor. 

After his marriage Mr. Taylor purchased the 
place where his widow now resides. It comprises 
one hundred and twenty acres. This he cleared 
and improved and erected all the buildings which 
it at the present time boasts. He was a Itepublican 
and held various township oHices. His death oc- 
curred on the 11th 'of January, 1890. Of a family- 
of seven children liorn to himself and wife five 
aic now liviiit;-. Tliev are Mrs. M. F. Yocuni of 



202 



PORTRA IT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Jackson, wbo is the motlier of one son. Floyd ; 
Mrs. Ja7nes Howlett of Lyndon Center; Amosi 
Lewis E. and Libhy. Mis. Taylor is an educated 
lady who, prior to her marriage, was engaged for 
some years as a teacher. She is a member in good 
standing of the Methodist Episcoiial Church. '^ 



)EOK(;k HKI.MKIJ1)]N(;eIJ is .1 f.armer re- 
siding on section 9. He was born in Wed- 
inburg near Stuttgart, tiermany, October*! 2. 
1830. His father, George H. Heimerdinger. was 
l)orn in the same town, there passing his entire life 
and his decease tikiiig place in 1831 when our 
subject was one yeai- old. He was a farmer and 
also a weaver by trade. Our subject's mother, Miss 
Dora Keimolt, wasa native of the same place in 
(iermany where her husband was born. She came 
to America in 1839 and her decease took place in 
this State at the age of eighty-five years. She was 
the mother of eight cliildren, sis of whom were 
the fruit of the first union, she having been twice 
married. All of these are now living^ the young- 
est being fifty-six years old; moreover they are all 
lieads of families. He of whom we write is the 
youngest of the six children above mentioned. 

Our subject came with his mother and lier family 
to America in 1839 and located in W.ashtenaw 
County, Freedom Township, where they purchased 
their first tract of land. The whole family bent 
their efforts to imin-oving the place and here our 
subject staid until twenty-five years of age. He 
then bought out the interest of the others and 
after remaining thereon for six years, sold it and 
purchased another farm comprising two hundred 
and two acres in the same township. There he re- 
m.iined until 1868, at which time he removed to 
the place where he now resides. 

Tlie marriage of Mr. Heimerdinger occurred 
Ajuil 1, 1856, his bride being Christina Schum- 
.aclier, like himself a native of Germany. She came 
to this State in 1804 and here fiecame .acquainted 
with our subject This worthy couple are the par- 
ents of niiu' childicii whose names aic George 



Mary, William, Fredericka, Fred, Amy, Charles, 
Henry and Christian, all of whom were born in 
this county. 

Mr. Heimerdinger lias .acquired a handsome pro- 
perty liere and is the owner of five hundred and 
ten acres, which is in a good state of cultivation. 
Their home, a view of which is presented on an- 
other page, is a fine two-story farm house, built in 
188.5 at a cost of over $3,000. The bam is a 
capacious and well-modeled building, erected in 
1879 at a cost of * 1,200. Here they do a general 
farming business, keeping over three hundred head 
of sheep, thirty head of cattle and eleven head of 
horses. Our subject had $500 to start with and 
this lie has invested to such good purpose that it 
lias made him a wealthy man. He was content to 
make an humble beginning, his first home being in 
a log house in the woods, but has gi-dwn in pro- 
portion to his circumstances. He, with the mem- 
bers of his family, is a member of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church and has been a generous sup- 
porter of the same, having contributed 11,000 at 
the time of its liuilding. He is one of its Deacons 
and has been Trustee for a number of years, being 
a leading member to whom the spread of Gospel 
woik in a truly Clu-istian sjiirit is very dear. 



ON. .TOHX .7. ROBLSON. Retired from 
.active business of life, our subject is now 
in the enjoyment of the fruits of his early 
labors. His residence in the beautiful city 
of Ann Arbor is well adapted for the peaceful en- 
joyment of the serene years of older life. Although 
associated in his business for a number of ye.ars 
with the interests of this city, Mr. Robison was 
born in Phelps, Ontario County, N. Y., his natal 
day being August 13, 1824. His father, Andrew 
Kobison, was a native of the same State and 
county and was born November 18, 1800. He was 
a tanner and currier by trade and later was en- 
gaged in general farming. He was the son of John 
Robison, who w.as born in Columbia County, N. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



205 



Y. and of Scotch-Irish descent, our subject's great 
grandfather, John Roliisoii, being born in the 
North of Ireland. 

The first paternal ancestor of hiiu vf whom 
we write to emigrate to this coiiutr}- was his grcat- 
great-grandfatlier. His great-grandfather served 
as a Captain in the War of the Revolution. Our 
subject's mother was in her girlhood Miss Gertrude 
Iloag, a native of Columbia C'ount_v, N. Y., there 
born in 1797. She was the daughter of Amaziah 
Hoag, who was of English descent. Her mother 
was Miss ^^1n Dusen and of Holland ancestr\-. An- 
drew Robison and Gertrude Hoag were married in 
Ontario County, N. Y., February 27, 1823, and 
soon after settled on a farm in the town of Phelps 
and there he carried on the business of a tainier and 
currier in connection with farming. 

In 1843 our subject's parents removed to Mich- 
igan and located on a faini in the town of Sharon, 
Washtenaw County, where they resided until the 
death of the father. His decease occurred January 
27, 1879. His wife died earlier— in 1878. Both 
were devoted members of the Presbyterian Church. 
Mr. Robison, Sr. served as Justice of the Peace for 
several years lind also Supervisor of the township 
for a number of j'ears. He was a stanch Democrat 
until the organization of the Republican party, 
after which he became a strong free-trade Repub- 
lican. 

The family of which our subject is one comprised 
five children, three l)oys and two girls, four of 
whom are still living. He of whom we write 
liassed his early school days in Ontario and Wayne 
Counties, N. Y. and afterward was a student at 
Palmyra Acadeni}-. After coming with his parents 
to Michigan he was engaged as a teacher in Wash- 
tenaw County for eighteen terms and then turned 
his attention to farming in Sharon Township and 
continued on the farm until 1883, when he re- 
moved to Ann Arbor, having been elected County 
Clerk in 1882. His tenure of office began from 
January 1, 1883. He was elected on the Demo- 
cratic ticket and in 1884 was re-elected. In 188(5 
he was elected Mayor of the city of Ann Arbor 
and filled the office most acceptably for one term. 
John J. Robison was united in marriage Ma.\ 2, 
1847 to Miss Alth.n K. Cillett of Sharon Township. 



this county; she was born in Ontario County, N. 
v., and is a daughter of Amasa and P^sther (Dunn) 
txillett. Mr. and Mrs. Robison have been blest by 
the advent into their family of five children, all 
of whom are prominent and respected members of 
societ}'. George F. is an attorney in Detroit; 
Charles C. is a farmer; Gertrude is the wife of 
James T. Eman, a prominent business man of De- 
troit, while James A. is on the editorial staff of the 
Detroit Free Press. J. Emmet died in 1887, when 
twenty-four years old. 

Our subject is a prominent Mason, being a mem- 
ber of the Manchester Lodge and Chapter and of 
the Ann Arbor Commandry. He is a Democrat in 
politics. He owns a fine farm of one hundred 
acres of land which is well improved. Nominated 
and elected to the State Senate in 1862, in 1878 he 
was elected to the House. He became County 
Clerk in 1868 and in 1870 was re-elected to the 
same office, serving in all eight years. He was sent 
as a delegate to the National Convention in 1872. 
In 1874 and 1876 he ran for Congress but suffered 
party defeat. His residence is located at No. 85 
N. Main Street, where he enjoys all the comforts of 
an ideal home. 



I^MIi-^-i^ii^^^^ 



^/EKEMIAH NEWTON. The older members 
of a community are doubly entitled to the 
respect and esteem of their neighboi-s when 
' their long lives have been replete with acts 
of kindness, and their whole career marked hy in- 
tegrity and uprightness. The time-honored and 
respected gentleman whose name appears at the 
head of this sketch, makes his home on section 5, 
Ypsilanti Township. His native home was in Liv- 
ington County, N. Y., where he was born August 
23, 1813. His father, Dudley Newton, was born in 
Connecticut, and the mother, Hannah Dates, was a 
native of Pennsylvania. The family is of English 
stock on the father's side, and of German lineage 
on the mother's side. 

The marriage of our su})ject took place in New 
York. Jannarv 23, 1838. the bride being Esther 



206 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Dean, who was boni July 27, 1819, in Livingston 
County. Her father was Or.ange Dean, and her 
mother, .lulia A. Fuller, the daughter of a Revolu- 
tionary sohlier. The three surviving children of 
our subject are, Charles F.. .ludrt and Harold D. 
It was in 1845 when Mr. Xewton emigrated to 
Michigan,. ind he lived for a short time in Superior 
TowTiship, this county, but in 1848 settled upon 
the farm where he now lives. He owns two hun- 
dred and twenty acres of line land which he has 
gained by his own exertions, as he started without 
wealth or special opportunities for attaining it. 
His first start in life was made by teaching music, 
and by thrift and economy he saved the money 
thus gained, and invested it in laud. 

The Republican party embodies in its declar.i- 
tion the political views which Mr. Newton consid- 
ers most sound, and he is an intelligent student of 
national movements. He and his good wife are 
active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and in its councils their judgment and good feel- 
ing are relied upon greatly for the guidance of 
church affairs. Ypsilanti w.is but a small hamlet 
when they came liere to live, and they have seen 
it grow to its present state of prosperity. They 
have seen much pioneer life, and have done a vast 
amount of pioneer work, and their married life of 
over fifty years has been one of harmonious labor 
together, not only for their mutual benefit, but for 
the good of all about them. 



\ 



ILLIAM H. DEUBEL. One of the most 
active members of commercial and social 
'^^ life in the busy city of Ypsilanti is he 
whose name is given above. He is thoroughly 
energetic and progressive, but not so absorbed in 
business but that he is personally pleasing .and 
affable. None stand better in the community than 
does he, nor does anyone enjoy the confidence of 
the community in a business way to a larger extent 
than our subject. He is of an excellent family, 
his father, William Deubel, wiio is a prominent mill 



owner in the city, being one of the men who are 
well known and regarded throughout the ct)untrv, 
and who carries on very large commercial interests. 

For a fuller outline of the genealogy of the f.am- 
ily see sketch of William Deubel in another jiart of 
this work. 

Our subject is a member of the firm of Deubel 
Bros., proi)rietors of the Huron Mills in this place 
and also of the Scio Mills at Scio. He is besides 
quite extensively interested in real-estate, both in 
this city and in Detroit, and is a large stockholder 
and Director in the Ypsilanti & Ann Arbor Sti-eet 
Railway Company, being also interested in the 
urban railwaj- of Ann Arbor. Our subject was 
born in Plym<nith, Wa.\-ne County, December 30, 
1846. He w.as there reared and educated, graduating 
from the High School of that place. Afterward he 
was a student for three years at the Ann Arbor 
High School. Itm.ay be said of him that he grew up 
a miller, for that being his father's business and he 
being about the mill more or less from boyhood, 
early learned the process and the machinery re- 
(juired for the work. When of age he went into 
partnership in the mills of his father. 

In 1872 our subject took a trip West, going by 
way of the Union P.acific to Kelton, Utah, and 
thence by wagon to Puget Sound, then two hun- 
dred miles across W.ashington and Idaho to Oregon, 
I'tah and California. He also went a distance of 
one thousand miles along the Pacific Coast, spend- 
ing one year in learning the geography of the 
West by practical ohservation. April Id, 1873. 
our subject came to Ypsilmti from California, 
bought the mill in partnership with his brother 
from N. FoUett for $19,000 cash, and began the 
milling business in earnest for himself. The first 
year the firm cleared |i9,000. He started in on a 
new system, selling the flour directly to jobbers 
being the first miller in the State to adopt this 
position; he thus saved the commission usually 
paid to middlemen. In 1882, as soon as the roller 
system proclaimed itself come to stay, he changed 
his machinery to that. The Huron Jlills was started 
over sixty years ago and w.as the first put up in the 
county, leing at the time the only mill between 
Detroit and Kalamazoo. The mill site is located 
on the Huron River. The buildinsr is 44x70 feet 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



207 



in dimensions and is four and a half stories in 
lieijjlit. Tliey also have a warehouse which is 40x30 
feet in dimensions. They manufacture by the full- 
roller process, their mill having a capacity of one 
hundred and Iffty barrels per day. 

In 1881 our subject and his brother bought the 
Scio Mills of a receiver into whose hands it had 
been placed. Tliis they have entirely remodeled 
and it now has a capacity of two hundred barrels 
per day, this being in the entire charge of our sub- 
ject's brother, James. In 1883 William H. Deubel 
bought the Warner Mills in Belleville, in partner- 
ship with George Voorhees. This was reconstructed 
and was run under the Arm name of Deubel & N'oor- 
hees. Three years later they sold out at a handsome 
profit. The firm of which our subject is one makes 
large shipments East and South and consignments 
to Europe. They ship to England and Scotland 
and have an immense Eastern wholesale and retail 
trade. Their brand bears the stamp of a wreath of 
gold and orange blossoms. 

Deubel Bros, own a large amount of real-estate 
here, both of unimproved and residence property. 
They own besides six acres of Land all of which is 
platted, which they purchased in order to get a 
side-track to their mills. Our subject is interested 
in real-estate in Detroit, having quite a valuable 
claim tiiere. He is also interested in tiie firm of 
Deubel it Voorhees, which deals in a whole- 
sale fashion in chickens, eggs and butter, and also 
in live stock. The}^ also own one hundred and 
sixty acres on the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad 
in Davisbnrg, Oakland County. This is rented on 
shares. The success whicli has attended the career 
of William H. Deubel is due entirely to hard work 
and close application. He was one of the original 
projectors of the present street railway system and 
is now next to the largest stockholder. 

Our subject was married in this city December 7, 
1874, to ^liss Mary Voorhees, who was born here 
and is a daughter of Benjamin Voorhees, an early 
settler, who was a pioneer of this place. Mrs. 
Deubel was here educated. She is a vocalist of 
more than local repute, being undoubtedly the 
finest singer in the city. She is the mother of four 
children, their names being Willie B., Matie, Ethel, 
and .Tohn. Our subject is a charter member and 



was the first President of the Young Men's Christian 
Association. He also belongs to the Mystic Circle. 
The oiiginal of our sketch has been Alderman from 
tlie Fifth Ward, serving three terms, and has been 
on different committees, being Chairman on the 
Committee on Ways and Cleans and also on the 
Electric Light Committee. Our subject with the 
members of his family are connected with the JMeth- 
odist Episcop.al Church. Socially the family is of 
the highest standing. Politically Mr. Deubel favors 
the platform of the Democratic party. 



ILLIAM K. BROCK, deceased. Among 
the valuable men who came to this coun- 
try from England, bringing with them the 
sturdy characteristics of the British yeomanry, 
none were more esteemed in Washtenaw County 
than the gentleman whose name we have now 
given, and his death, which took place in 18X6. 
was felt as a real loss to the community. 

Mr. Brock was born November 16, 1826, in 
Devonshire, England, and was a son of Richard 
C. and Charity Brock, who carefully reared this 
son in England until he reached his twentieth 
year. They gave to him a good opportunity for 
education, which he considered merely as a ground 
work for future independent study and reading. 
In 1846 this young man of twenty emigrated with 
his parents to the New World, taking passage on 
a sailing-vessel and making their first home in 
Chautauqua County, N. Y., where the family lo- 
cated for several years. 

The marriage of Mr. Brock, which was celelirated 
Novenilier 1 1. l^!;")!, brougiit to his home a bride 
in the jierson of Ann .1. Brown, who was born 
February 22, 1827, in Livingston County, N. Y. 
Her parents, Hiram and Esther H. (Parker) Brown, 
were of English descent and natives of New York, 
and a lirother of her father was a soldier in the 
War of 1312. The Wolverine State attracted the 
attention of the young couple, and in 1852 they 
came to this county, where they resided for a 
number of years in York Tt)wiisliin. In 18{;6 they 



208 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



came to Vpsilauti Tuwnsbip and settled on tlie 
farm wlieie the widow now resides, and this lic- 
eame the final home of Mr. Brock. 

(Jur subject was highl_y esteemed l)_y all who 
knew him, as he was a man of public spirit, intel- 
ligence and integrity. He was a devoted friend 
to schools and the temperance cause, and found 
his political affiliations with the Republican party. 
He left to his faithful companion his fine estate of 
one hundred and forty-five acres of highly im- 
proved land, which may well he called the result 
of his life work. He was a member of the Ma- 
sonic order and was at one time identified with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His 
widow, who is a liiglily esteemed member of so- 
ciety, resides at the liomestead and is carrying on 
the farm which came into her hands at the deatli 
of her liusl)and. 



^>^^<m 



J I LLI AM FLI-;TC'1IKR; Among the Hriti.sii 
// American citizens who have done good, 
stalwart work in tjie cultivation and 
development of Sharon Township, we may well 
mention the name just given. His father, Peter 
Holmes Fletcher, was an English merchant, and 
the mother, Ann Hindley, was also born in Shef- 
field, the fatiier's native city. After tlieir mat riage 
they still resided in England till 1830, when they 
came to America and settled in Pennsylvania for a 
year, and then returned to England for two years. 

It W!is in 1830 when this couple came to Michi- 
gan and became pioneers in Sylvan Township, 
wliere there was then a regular village of Indians. 
The father died in 1863 and the motheii survived 
him for five years. Tliey were devoted members 
of the Episcopal Churcli in the old country and 
after coming here took a lively interest in all 
American movements. The father became natural- 
ized and allied himself with the Democratic party. 
Of their five children three now survive. 

Our subject being the eldest child of his father's 
family, born September 27, 1828, in Pennsylvania, 
made the ocean voyage twice while an infant. As 



his parents were very poor he began working for 
himself at the age of ten years, entering the employ 
of Jlr. Nathan Ayres, of Sharon Township. In 
winter he used to do chores and go to school, and 
he remained thus for three years, working for var- 
ious f.armers and also helping to build the Michi- 
gan Central Railroad. 

An estate in England was divided among four 
heirs and our subject was one of them. This in- 
crease of means came just at the right time and was 
applied by the young man in paying for his farm, 
of which he came into possession in 18.50. It com- 
prised one hundred acres of land, thirty-five of 
which were broken, a log house and a small frame 
bani. Here he has since remained .and he has 
added to his estate fifty acres more and in 1886 he 
built the home in which he now resides at a cost of 
% 1,200. His barn measures 32x74 feet, was built 
in 1877 and cost 1,000. He carries on mixed farm- 
ing and has cleared nearly all of his farm. 

William Fletcher was in 1856 united in marriage 
with Harriet Beach, who was born in Lima Town- 
ship, this county. Their only child, Emery 
Marcina, wiis born in 1858 and married Ella 
Hathawiiy and with her lives in .lackson, Mich. 
IMrs. Harriet Fletcher had no daughter but adopted 
a little girl. This wife died in December, 1868, and 
the second wife of our subject, to whom he was 
joined Maj^ 6, 1872, was by birth Verona, daugh- 
ter of Adam and Verona (Schaible) Lehman, both 
natives of Wurtemlierg, Germany, who came to 
America thirty-eight years ago and settled in Sharon 
Township. Mr. Lehm.an died in 1881 and his wife 
followed him in 1890. He was a farmer in this 
township. The parents of ^Nlrs. Fletcher had eleven 
children, si.x of whom are now living; two served 
in the United States Aimy durnig the Civil War. 
One of them, John, who was the color bearer of the 
Seventh Michigan Infantry, was killed in the bat- 
Lie of the Wilderness in 1864 at the age of twenty 
years. 

Mrs. Fletcher was born in Germany, Ma\' 22, 
1851. She received a common -school education. 
Her five children are: Mamie Ella, Hattie Alphene. 
Cora Alberta, William Garfield .and John Lehman. 
The eldest daughter is now one of the teachers in 
AVaslitenaw County. The Methodist Episcopal 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



209 



C'lmrch is the religious body with wliich our sul)- 
ject aiul liis wife are associated and where lie has 
been a Trustee. Tlicy have ever taken a vital 
interest in Sunday -selioul work and have lahurod 
in tliat cause. Tliey are strong Lemjjerance peoph' 
and Mrs. l<'letcher is a member of the Home jNIis- 
siouary Society. 

Mr. Fletcher's interest in edncational matters 
has brought liim forward .as Director and Treasurer 
of tlie School Board and he has .also filled the otHce 
of Road Overseer. His political views .are embod- 
ied in the declarations of the Republican i)arty and 
his vote is cast with that organization. In 1886 
he suflfered losses by fire, his hou.se and windmill 
being destro.yed. He is afflicted with a cancer in 
the face, for which he has submitted to three dif- 
ferent operations, the last one having been eleven 
years ago at Ann Arl)or. 

John Fletcher, a brother of our subject, died in 
1889, at the age of lift}' seven years and his wife 
survived him but three months. Siie was his sec- 
ond wife, his first wife having borne the name of 
Jlary Ross. Mr. Fletcher's sister, Mar.\-, the wife 
of Joseph Beach, died in 1872, leaving three chil- 
dren, Emma, Laura and Howard; and his brothers, 
Peter and Thomas, live in. Lima Township, this 
county. jVrdella May, tlie adopted daughter of our 
subject, is now the wife of Rodney Fi'eer and lives 
in Eaton County, this State. 



LFREI) II. HOLMES. Tlie business career 
of the gentleman whose name appears 
above is one distinguished by constant 
jirogress. lie began life in a very humble 
>ut h.as .set his mark to attain a high de- 
gree of financial success as well as personal pro- 
gress. He is now the proprietor of one of the 
largest livery and hack lines in the city of Ann 
Arbor, lie started in business on a small scale in 
1885, having but two horse.Sj a buggy and a car- 
riiige. As his Inisiness incre.ased he enlarged his 
l)arns and added horses ;ind l)uggies. The site of 



his present business location is No. 32 and 34 
Forest .\ venue, his barn being 60x132 feet in 
dimensions. He is now using forty horses in his 
business and keeps constantly on hand a fine line 
of hacks and buggies, and in fact all the appliances 
for a tirst-cl.ass stable. 

Mr. Holmes w.as born in Pittstield Township, 
this county, June 1(1, lS3il. He is a son of Bur- 
roughs and Polly (l)enni.son) Holmes. The father 
was a native of New York and born in Tioga 
County, in the town of 15erne, where he also mar- 
ried. He removed with his family to this county 
in 1837 and located upon a farm in Pittsfleld 
Township, where he followed the calling of gen- 
eral agriculture, being es[)ecially interested in 
stock-raising. He resided upon the place until his 
decease, in 1860, being at the time in his sixt}'- 
eighth year; his wife died in 1868, aged seventy- 
three years. She was the daughter of William 
Dennison. Seven children survived her — Alfred 
H., being the youngest of the family. 

The original of this sketch .attended the district 
school in the vicinity of his home and afterward 
the High School in Ann Arbor. He then returned 
to the farm and there remained until reaching 
his twenty-first year. He started out in life for 
himself in Pittsfleld Township on the old home- 
stead, but afterward purchased eighty acres in 
Lodi Township, residing upon it for some time. 
This he finally sold and removed to Wayne County, 
Midi., where he was engaged in farming for two 
years. Returning to this county he located on a 
farm in Sui)erior Township, continuing there for 
several years. 

In 1868 Mr. Holmes removed to Kans.as, locating 
on a farm in Lyon County near Emporia, where 
he spent four years. At the expiration of that 
time he sold liis farm and stock and returned to 
Ann Arbor and in 188;') started in the livery busi- 
ness. Ai)ril 5, 1860, (nir subject was married to 
Miss Ann Sheldon, of Lodi Township. She was 
the tliird daughter of Newton .and Susanna (Ed- 
munds) Sheldon, both of whom were natives of 
New York, coming to Wa.shtenaw County in 1832. 
they were recognized among the enterprising set- 
tlers of that locality. I\Ir. .and Mrs. Holmes are the 
parents of three childri'ii — Nellie E., Burt E. and 



210 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Willard S. Is'ettie is the wife of E. L. Briggs; Burt 
is a student in the University of Michigan; Wil- 
lard isstilla student of the ward school. 

Politically our subject is a stanch I'rohiliilion- 
ist, although he formerly cast his vote with the 
Hepuldican i)arty. He and his wife are members 
of the Congregational Church. They have a 
pleasant residence at Xo. 32 Forest Avenue. 



,Tf^iAKS().M TOWXSEM). AVe doubt if there 
[W^ can be a finer farm found in Superior 
■A \ Township than that which belongs to our 
*^ sul)ject, the son of Frederick P. Townsend 
of Rochester, Js. Y. There this son was born in 
1826 and ten years later came to Washtenaw 
County which has since been his home. Frederick 
Townsend was born in 1796, among the Catskill 
Mountains and was one of seven children, namely: 
Frederick, Stephen. Annie. Susannah, .lane. Laura, 
and Edmund. 

Our subject was one of four children of his 
parents, the othci-s being Nelson, Mary (Mrs. Ly- 
man Calpin), and Willi.am. He grew to maturity 
uiion the farm and was educated in the common 
schools of the county. In 1848 he married Miss 
Juliette Leland, daughter of .Joshua G. Leland, 
wlio was born in Madison, N. Y., in June, 1805. 
He was a son of Joshua Leland, who was born in 
Sherburne. Mass. Henry Leland who was the head 
of the Leland family in America, came from Eng- 
land where he was born in 1653. 

Joshua (J. Leland, the father of JMrs. Townsend, 
was one of a numerous family whose names were 
as follows : Amasa, Ezra, Isaac. Orson, ITriali, 
Plid'be, Sylvia, Juliette, Yale, and Joshua. He 
came to this county in 1832 and located on what 
is now known as the James Mowrey Farm, where 
he resided but (nie year, and then located in North- 
field where he was living at the time he w.as elect- 
ed to the Legislature in 1840 and 1844. He also 
served as Justice of the Peace in Northfield, dur- 
ing thi' greater part of his residence there. A 
curious incident is related showing the determin- 



ation and stalwart energy of the man. On one 
occasion one of his oxen Ijecame unyoked and 
walked away from his mate, leaving Mr. Leland 
with his wife and children to get along as best 
they might. Mr. Leland stepped into the place of 
the missing animal and yoking himself with the 
ox, assisted in drawing the family home. He was 
an active energetic memlter of the ilethodist Epis- 
copal Church, and gave lilierally of his services 
jind means for its maintenance. In 1866 he moved 
to Ann Arbor, where he remained till the time of 
his death, ten years later, having passed an .active 
and useful life. 

To Mr. and Mi-s. Townsend have been l)orn five 
children, two of whom have passed to the other 
world and the three who are living are : Albina, 
wife of John B. Eldert, of Detroit ; Perry L., who 
resides near the old home place, and Emory , who 
makes his home in Saginaw. Mrs. Townsend, like 
her father, is an earnest and conscientious member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is active in 
its work and charities. Mr. Townsend attiliates 
with the Republican party. They own a farm of 
one hundred and twenty -six acres, all of which is 
excellent land well improved and well stocked. 



]^-^[ 



,^i^ AMUEL P. RUSSELL. One of the men 
^^5 who has been prominently interested in 
\J--M """ (^e'^elopment of Superior Township is 
this gentleman. Although he cannot be 
called one of the pioneers of this vicinity he has 
already lived here almost half a century and his 
wife's family are among the old settlers of tlie 
count}-. His birth took pLace in 1848, in Hamil- 
ton County, N. Y., and he was one of a large 
family of nine children of William and Gittie 
(Conklin) Russell. The father was born in W.ash- 
ington, D. C, in 1814, and the mother in Hamil- 
ton Comity, N. Y., in 1815. 

William F. Russell was a son of William and 
Jlinerva (Powers) Russell. The former w.as prob- 
ably a native of England and was a drover by occu- 
pation, making Albany. N. Y., his market. Unto 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



211 



them were born two cluldren — our subject's father, 
William F., and his sister, Loanda, who never mar- 
ried. The father of our sulijeet followed farmiiiti; 
and luiiilicriny in New Voi'k and was a successful 
man. 

The liruthers and sister of our subject are as 
follows: Minerva, who liecame .Mrs. Cornelius Van 
Iloosan and had one child by this marriag-e. After 
her husband's death she married Frank Scribner, by 
whom she had two daughters. The second child w.as 
William A., who resides in Michigan; Joel is a 
resident of Fulton C'ount3% N. Y.; Mary, became 
the wife of William Davis and makes her home in 
Northville, N. Y.; Seymour resides in Fulton 
County, N. v.; George M. is in Augusta, Mich., 
Leander in New York, and Emma is the wife of 
•Joseph Benson and lives at Northville, N. Y. 

In 1873 our subject inarried Miss Ella .1., daugh- 
ter of Orlando Darling, an old resident of Wash- 
tenaw County. Plight cluldren were born to them, 
and all but one of this number are still with them. 
In 1870 Mr. Russell left New York and at first lo- 
cated in Kidgeway, where he engaged in lumber- 
ing and remained for two years. Subsequently 
he took uj) his residence in Washtenaw County, 
and has since made this his home. In 1886 he 
jjurchased the property formerly owned by S. 
Crulman, which is about three miles southwest of 
Ypsilanti, and wliicli is his post-office. Mr. Russell's 
l)()litical affiliations are with the Democratic i)artv. 



*^^^[ 



t3'S:B 



gS — \ ■ =^ 



/^ LARENCE (i. TAYLOR. 1!. S., the superin- 
(li r ^'Siif'siiit of the shojjs of the engineering 
^^' labratory of the University of Michigan, 
and a member of the faculty of that institution, 
was born in Greenville, N. II., June 27, 1858. His 
father, George W., being a native of New Ii)swich, 
in that State, and his grandfather, Samuel, being 
also born in New Hampshire. The grandfather 
married a direct descendant of William Lock, who 
cameoverin the "Planter" in 1637, and established 
one of the old Puritan families in this country. 
The grandfather was a pioneer in that part of 



New Hampshire, as he had come hither from Mass- 
achusetts .and helped to clear the site of New Ips- 
wicli. His .ancestors figured prominently in the 
War of the Revolution. His great-grandfather 
started to the battles of Concord and Lexington, 
Init was about four hours late. All of his ancestors 
<m both sides were instrumental in organizing and 
building up the Congreg.ational Church throughout 
New England, several of the family being in the 
ministiy. 

The father of our sulijecl was .an architect and 
builder and erected some of the buildings of the 
Columbian Cotton Company in New Hampshire. 
He spent but two 3'ears in the West, passing that 
time in Iowa, and then went East again, where he 
continued to carry on his business. He is a fine 
architect and although now sixty-three- years of 
age he is active in work, being connected with the 
Butterick Pattern Company of New York City, and 
residing a part of the time in New York and a part 
of the time in New Hampshire. His good wife, 
who died in her native State, New Hampshire, in 
1883, was Elizabeth, daughter of William Moore, a 
farmer of Jeffrey, N. H. Of their four children 
three grew to maturity-. 

Clarence Taylor attended Appleton Academ\- 
after studying in the district school, remaining in 
that institution from the time he was fourteen 
until he reached the age of seventeen, after which 
he entered the Polytechnic College at Worcester, 
Mass., from which he graduated in 1881, with the 
degree of Bachelor of Science. For nine months 
he remained in connection with that institution 
and then went South to organize the manual train- 
ing department of the Miller Manual Labor School, 
located at Crozet, Va. He retained charge of 
that dei)artment some eighteen months, in 1883 
was made Assistant Mechanical P^ngineer in the 
University of Michigan, and in 1885 became the 
Superintendent of the engineering shojjs. He de- 
votes his entire attention to his profession and is 
endeavoring to bring forward this class of work to 
a high rank. 

The marriage of Prof. T.aylor, September 17, 
1890, united him witii a lady of more than ordinary 
character and talent, and. one who stands high in 
her profession as a piiysician. Her name was 



212 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Christine Anderson, and she is a daughter of Nel- 
son Anderson, who was a luniljer merchant and a 
wholesaler in that line in tlie P>ast before removing 
to Iowa. He removed to Greene, Butler County, 
that State, where he became a successful farmer and 
died at tlie age of fifty-two years. He was a 
Republican in his political views and a Presbyterian 
in his religious faith. The maiden naine of the 
mother of Mrs. Taylor was Rebecca Maria Ander- 
son. She was of Eastern birth and still resides in 
Greene, where this daughter was born. 

Mrs. Taylor is tliird in the order of birth in a 
f.imily of eight children. After receiving the 
fundamentals of her education in the common 
schools she studied at Greene Academy, and then 
entered Knox College at Galesburg, 111., where she 
graduated in 1882 with the degree of Bacli- 
elor of Science, after which she taught for two 
years in Greene and in the fall of 1885, entered 
the department of medicine and surger\- at the 
ITniversity of Michigan, as she had always cher- 
ished a desire to study medicine. Slie graduated 
in 1888 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine and 
located in Ypsilanti, where she has worked up a 
large i)ractice in both medicine and surgery. She 
stands high in her profession and is considered not 
only one of the best woman physicians in the 
county, but also one of tlie best physicians and 
surgeons, without regard to sex. For two years 
she has been vice-Prcsidcnt of the Washtenaw 
Medical Society. Mr. Taylor is a Republican in 
liis political views and takes an intelligent interest 
in the progress of public events although he has 
little time to devote to matters outside his profes. 
sion. 



3^*5**>*I'.^^^^*5"5*'5"3*l- 



-!•{••}• •!'-J'^^*<-^'*F 



liOSKPH M. ALLEN. Among the newsp.a- 
per men of Southern ]\Iichigan who have 
done so much in the past and are planning 
)) so wisely to help forward the interests of 
their section in the future, we are pleased to men- 
tioii tlie name which we have Just given. This 



gentleman is the proprietor and editor of the Dex- 
ter Leader, which was established January 28, 
1869, by AVickwire ct Alley. Mr. Allen is the sixth 
man who has managed tlie affairs of this paper 
and he now lias it in first-class condition and good 
working order. He first established the Dexter 
Sun in April, 1882, but in January, 1883 he liought 
the business of the Dexter Leader and adopted that 
name instead of retaining that of the Sun. 

Jh\ Allen is a practical printer and has worked 
at the case for more than half a century, having 
learned the business on the old Jackson Gazette, 
where lie remained for ten years, becoming its 
proprietor and merging it into the Jackson Citizen, 
which was one of the early papers in that jiart of 
the State. He then went to Detroit in 1851, and 
engaged in a newspaper and job oltice until he 
came to Dexter to reside. As a boy he had come to 
Dexter first in June, 1831, as his father, Joseph 
Allen, had taken up land from the Government 
two and one-half miles north of this point. But 
his father did not long survive his settlement here, 
as he died within two years after coming, exijiring 
September 23, 1833, at the age of forty-two j-ears. 
He was a native of New York but his son Joseph 
M., was born at Whitney, Vt., Febrimry 23, 1825. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name 
of Athelia S. Robuards and was a native of Ver- 
mont. She survived lier husb.and until July, 1876, 
and he had lived here with her son Erastus D. 
Allen, a well-known shoemaker of Dexter. She had 
a family of two sons and three daughters, and 
three of this number are now living. Our subject 
was but fifteen years old when he went to Jackson 
in 1840, and as we have seen entered a printing 
ortice. 

The marriage of our subject was celebrated 
January 10, 1848 at .Lackson, his bride being Miss 
Mary M. McMilleu, a native of Toronto, Canada. 
To her have been granted five children — Jlary I., 
Kate A., Fersis A., Eva M., and Woodruff K., born 
August 30, 1860, is a printer and lives in Detroit. 
The eldest daughter has remarkable facility with 
the needle an"d produces most beautiful embroidery 
and fancy work of various kinds. She is still with 
her motiier, but her sister Kate has married 'Mr. F. 
B. A'aughu who carries on business as a patent 



^ 1 




"(D(H/K%r^^ ^■<^aM^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



■215 



roofer in Detroit. Persis is Mrs. J. H. Cleveland 
of tlie same city, her husband being the Teller in 
the Home Savings Bank, while Eva 'SI. is in the 
employ,as aco})yist,of the American Book Concern 
of Chicago. 



aORYDON L. FORD, M. D., LL.D., Profes- 
J, sor of anatomy and physiology in the 
' University of Michigan, was born August 
2;), 1813, at Lexington, Greene County, N. Y. 
William Ford, the founder of the family in Amer- 
ica, and the earliest member of wliicli there is any 
authentic information, came from England in the 
"Fortune" landing at Plymouth in November, 
1621. He settled in Marshfield, Mass., where lie 
died in 1676. The sixth in descent from him was 
Abner Ford, the father of the subject of this sketch, 
who was born in Canaan, Columbia County, N. Y., 
and early removed to Lexington, where he remained 
with his family for a number of years. His occu- 
pation was that of a farmer and he served for a 
brief period as a Lieutenant in the War of 1812. 
His wife was Catharine Frint, of New England 
origin on her mother's side and German on her 
father's. 

To them were born five children of which our 
subject was the third son. When he was less than 
two years old his parents removed to Butternuts, 
Otsego County, and settling upon a farm near the 
village of Gilbertsville, remained until 1836, when 
they came W^est and located in the town of Van 
Buren, Wayne County, Mich., where his mother 
died in 18.56 and his father in 1860. His early 
education was obtained in the district schools in 
the neighborhood of his home, and subsequently 
he attended for a time a private school taught by 
a clergyman, the Rev. H. P. "Bogue. At seventeen 
years of age he commenced teaching school and 
continued this occupation during the nine suc- 
ceeding winter seasons. He was thus enabled to 
earn ihe means of pursuing his studies, and_ arriv- 
ing at the age of twenty he commenced the study 
of medicine with Dr. .V. B. Brown, of Somerset. 



Niagara County, N. Y., but soon afterward re- 
moved to Medina, in the same Slate, and contin- 
ued his studies under Dr. Caleb Hill. 

Perceiving that a higher grade of literary educa- 
tion than he had yet obtained would be of great 
advantage to him in pursuing his researches in the 
science of medicine, he laid aside that work for a 
time and entered Canandaigua Academy at Canan- 
daigua, N. Y., where he took up the study of ancient 
languages, and laid a foundation to be built upon 
as he found opportunity afterward. Leaving the 
acadeni}- in 1840 he resumed the study of medicine, 
this time with Dr. Edsou Carr, of Canandaigua, 
then one of the most prominent jiractitioners of 
Western New York. The friendship between Dr. 
Carr and himself, formed at this time, continued 
ui) to the death of the former which occurred in 
1862, and not long after Dr. Ford became connected 
with the University of Michigan. Dr. Carr, through 
his interest in his friend, made a donation of his 
collection of pathological specimens, of much in- 
terest and value to the institution, which is now 
ill the museum of the college. In October, 1840, 
Dr. Ford entered the Geneva Medical College, at 
Geneva, N. Y'., where he pursued with much en- 
thusiasm the study of the different liranches of 
medical science. 

Dr. James Webster was then professor of anatomy 
of the college, and by his great skill, earnestness 
and expertness, excited in his pupil especial interest 
in that study, and Dr. Ford soon became his par- 
ticular favorite. Dr. Webster had the unusual facult}^ 
of lecturing fluently and at the same time dissect- 
ing with great rapidity, displaying to his class the 
parts and tissues in their natural positions and with 
their proper connections. It li.as been said that his 
dexterity had more than the interestof a sleight- 
of-hand performer. Dr. Ford, while learning the 
sciences, found himself able to imitate his teacher's 
method, and through the long period of study and 
practice which followed the pupil came to surps^ss 
the master. So successful was he in this branch of 
medical science that on the day of his graduation, 
January 25, 1842, he received the appointment of 
Demonstrator of Anatomy in the college, and ful- 
filled the duties of that office for the succeeding 
seven years. 



216 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



In 1846. when the medical college in Buffalo was 
organized, Dr. Ford wa!< made Demonstrator of 
Anatomy there, and performed tlie duties of demon- 
.-trator in both the (Geneva and Bulla k) colleges for 
the three following years. Tlie lectures whicli lie 
frequently gave during this time met with such 
success and gave such satisfaction to the classes, 
that his reputation as an expert teacher of anatomy 
became fully established. As a result he was, in 
1819, invited to the professorship of anatomy and 
physiology in the medical college at C'astletou, Vt. 
He continued to lecture there after having received 
other appointments until the breaking out of the 
Civil War, when so many professors and students 
joined the army that the college was closed. In 
.June, 18.54, while at the operating chair in Dr. 
Carr's office in C'anandaigua. he received the an- 
nouncement of his ai>i)oiutment to the professor- 
.ship of his favorite branch in the Department of 
Medicine and Surgery in the University of Michi- 
gan. On the 2ud of tlie following October, he 
gave his first lecture in the university, and for 
thirty-eight consecutive years, tlie 1st of October 
has found him at his post. Although since his 
appointment to this profes-sorshij) his chief labor 
has been in this institution, he lias performed the 
duties of iirofe.ssor of anatomy successfully in four 
Eiistern colleges, the university sessions continuing 
from October to March inclusive, while those of 
the other colleges in which he officiated were in 
the summer months; and thus he wa-s enabled to 
continue his work at Ca.stleton until the close of 
the college in 1861. 

The other colleges in which Dr. Ford received 
appointments as [)rofessor of anatomy were the 
Berkshire Medical College in Pittsfield, Mass., to 
which he was appointed in 1860, and with which 
he was connected until its close in 1867; the Med- 
ical College of Maine, so long established .and suc- 
cessfully conducted in connection with Bowdoin 
College, where he filled that chair from 1864 until 
1870, when he resigned and spent the following 
summer in Europe; and Long Island College Hos- 
l)ital in Brooklyn, N. Y., where he gave an annual 
course of lectures during the spring months after 
completing his work at the university from 1868 
until 1886, when he was honored b\ the title of 



Emeritus Professor of Anatomy in that institution, 
which his labors for nineteen years had greatly 
aided in estalilishing. and since then his whole time 
has been devoted to teaching in the field of his 
largest labors — the I'niversity of Michigan. Dur- 
ing much of the time of his connection with the 
university- he has given instruction in physiology 
as well as anatomy, blending the two together, de- 
scrihiug the function of each organ in connection 
with its form and structure. The fact that his ser- 
vices have been so extensively sought by medical 
schools is evidence of the Doctor's extraordinary 
ability, and the reasons for it are to be found in 
his natural capacity, amounting to a genius for 
the work, and in giving his whole time and energy 
to the work assumed. 

During his childhood Dr. Ford had an attack of 
infantile paralysis, affecting the lower left limb, 
arresting to a greater or less extent its develo[)- 
ment and impairing its usefulness; the result, as 
is usually the case, has been a life-long lameness, 
and this defect has had its effect upon his whole 
organism, causing him to lead a life of great retire- 
ment, and has doulitless had an influence in keep- 
ing him from the active practice of medicine, 
confining his labors to the teaching of the funda- 
mental principles of the profession. "While at IMtts- 
fleld the Doctor made the acquaintance of Jlrs. Mes- 
ser, the widow of Nathaniel Messer, and the only 
daughter of the late Ichabod Chapman, of that 
place. The acquaintance resulted in theii marriage 
on the 24tb of April. 1865. Mrs. Ford is a de- 
scendant of Robert Chapman, who came from Hull, 
England, in 1635. and settled in the same year at 
Saybrook, Conn. The laud has never been sold, 
having descended from father to son to the pres- 
ent owner of the sixth generation. 

Tlie Doctor has confined himself to the important 
and necessary work of teaching anatomy in a man 
ner to make it attractive, and at the same time 
useful to the students in their subsequent practice 
of medicine and surgery, which explains the fact 
that an unusual proportion of the graduates have 
become successful surgeons. By his particular 
methods the vivacity and clearness of his lectures 
and the accuracy and minuteness of his descrip- 
tion, he has tixcd the subject in their minds to such 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



217 



an extent that those who liave received instruction 
from liini have been s^enerally considered atnoui; 
tiie best students of anatomy that are found in any 
of the sciiools. His manner in the leeture-rouni is 
animated and enthusiastic, and never fails to hold 
the attention of the students, and excite In them ti 
similar enthusiasm in the study of this branch. He 
is full of the subject and never tires in presentint;- 
it to his students. 

The Doctor is at the present time just delivering 
liis tme hundred and sixth course of lectures most of 
whicli in the university have extended through a 
period of six months, but for many years he gave 
lectures in three different medical colleges, varying 
in length from two to four months, and he lias 
frequently delivered two or more lectures a day. 
This is an extraordinary number of coiu'ses of lec- 
tures, even considering the number of schools in 
which he has acted as professor. As a teacher of 
anatomy he has long been regarded as unsurpassed 
in this country, and, in fact, there are many who 
consider that lie has no equal. In his manner he is 
modest and unassuming, and has always been re- 
garded by his pupils and his friends, not only as a 
most mt)dest te.acher, l)ut in every resi)ect as a 
straightforward, honorable and ui)riglil Christian 
gentleman. 

In politics Dr. Vmtl lias been :i Ivepiiblicau since 
the organization of that party. He and JMr.s. Ford 
are members of the Congregational Church. A 
lithogra])hic portrait of Dr. Ford accompanies this 
biographical notice. 



N^ii-^"i^ii^i!€ 



^^P? NDREW SEKVJS. The gentleman of whom 
@iu\\ we write has his fine arable farm of oiu' 
hundred and fifty acres situated on section 
3, Sharon Township. His father was Fred- 
erick Servis, a native of the INIohawk Valley, N. Y., 
and a shoemaker by trade as well as a farmer. The 
mother, whose maiden name was Charlotte Clark, 
was a native of Onondaga County, in the same 
.State, and Hire they weic married and resided 
throughout life, becoming tin- parents of eight 



children, all but one of whom are still in life. The 
mother i)assed from earth in 1H4G and the father 
died in IKfiH. 

lie of wlifnil we write was Ihe second in age ill 
I Ills numerous household, being born January 4, 
1S2I, ill Onondago County. A district school 
education was granted to him which he well-im- 
proved, and in school life and farm life his youth- 
ful days passed, and at the age of sixteen he started 
out to fight the battle of life .alone and unaided. 
He learned his trade, that of a blacksmith, in Onon- 
daga County, N. Y., and there began his life work. 

The wedding day of our subject was Octo- 
ber 10, 1848, when he was united to Mary, daugh- 
ter of William and Lana (Ilouser) Winton. The 
former was a native of Scotland and the latter a 
New Yorker of Dutch descent. Mr. Winton was 
a farmer and made his home in New York until 
184.). His wife passed from earth in 1848 and he 
died .lanuary 21, 1858. They were the parents of 
two children, but Mrs. Servis is the only survivor 
at the present dale. She was born October 31, 
1830, in JSIadisoii County, N. Y., and resided in 
her native county, Onondaga, until slie and her 
husband decided to migrate to the West. 

Mr. and Mrs. Servis came to Michig.aji in 18.")ll 
and settled in Sharon Township on a ()art of the 
old Leonard Fellows farm, and here Mr. Servis set 
up shop and worked at his trade. They remained 
there for four years and then sold out and bought 
a farm in that neighborhood, which they sold again 
within a year. In 1868 they settled upon the 
present farm of one hundred and fifty acres which 
was very poorly improved and upon which was an 
old log house and barn. Here he has cleared off 
fifty acres of land, built a new house and barn and 
made other substantial improvements, having done 
much hard work. 

The four children of Mr. and Mrs. Servis are, 
Helen, who was born in 18.50, now the wife of Mr. 
A. Case, of Hillsdale County and the mother of two 
children; Delia A., born in 1851, now the widow 
of Mr. .John Hall, of Manchester and the mother 
of three children; Bert, born in 1864, and George 
H., born in 1869. To all of his offspring our sub- 
ject has afforded opportunities for .acquiring a good 
common-school educaticm and (icorge is a graduate 



218 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of the Jlanchester Higli School and has a scholar- 
ship at Adrian. Mrs. Hall was a superior student 
and taught previous to her marriage. The mother 
of this family is an earnest and conscientious meni- 
lier of tiie Methodist Episcopal Cliurch and in the 
doctrines of the Christian religion lias trained her 
children. The Repulilican party embodies the po- 
litical ideas whicli Mr. Scrvis has ever held to be 
most worthy of confidence and he casts his vote 
with this body. 



XDKEW B. ]\nXZEY. a representative 
and venerable pioneer of this county re- 
ii siding on section 20, Augusta Township, 
is a native of New York and a son of 
,Iohn and Phwbe (Avery) Minzey, the father hav- 
ing been a soldier in the War of . 812. Our subject 
was born Aiigust 26, 1829 and in 1836 came with 
his parents to this county crossing the lake to 
reach Detroit. 

John Minzey made his liomc in the unbioken 
forests before this township was organized, and 
brouglit his family to the log cabin which he built, 
and where they lived for the first summer without 
doors and windows, at a time when wolves and 
bears were numerous. He was the father of a 
patriarchal tribe of twelve children, the surviving 
members of which are Martlia, Phoebe, Jeanette, 
William, Duncan, Andrew, Kcdner, and Allen. He 
was in his eighty-fourth year when he died, passing 
away October 31, 1883. He had lost his wife in 
February, 1875, and in their death the county suf- 
fered a loss which has never been replaced. 

The usual experiences of pioneer life marked the 
boyhood of our subject and he early adopted farm- 
ing as his vocation. He made good use of the ad- 
vantages which were offered him in the district 
schools and has ever made it liis aim to pursue a 
tliorough and systematic course of reading. Upon 
the last day of December, 1865, he was united in 
marriage with Mary Kullerton a native of New 
Yt)rk who became liie motiier of three cliildren. 



only one of whom, Elmer D., now survives, who 
lives on a farm adjoining his father's the farm 
consisting of ninely-four acres, a present from his 
paients. 

One hundred and four acres of land forms the 
home farm and it bears abundant evidence of the 
thorough going character of the work done upon 
it. The position of this gentleman among his 
neighbors has been marked by his being raised to 
the position of Moderator of the School Board. His 
political views bring him into action with the 
Democratic i>arty and he has great faith in tlie 
principles proclaimed by the platform of that party. 

]Mr.«. Minzey was born in Orleans Count}', N. Y., 
April 23, 1835. Her father, John Fullerton, was a 
native of Ireland and her mother Caroline Bur- 
nette, was born in New Yorli State. Mr. Fullerton 
had emigrated to America when sixteen years old 
and for manj- years he made New York his home 
and there his faithful wife passed to her eternal re- 
ward. In 1861 the father came to this county and 
here spent the remainder of his days upon earth. 
Of Ills ten cliildren the survivors are: Nancy, 
Mrs. Minzey, William, Hannah, John and Adam. 
Mrs. Minzey is identified with the Evangelical 
Church and is an active member of both church and 
social circles. 



GEORGE SCHNIRRING is a farmer own- 
ing a fine place on section 22, Freedom 
.j,^. Township. He is a son of Michael Schnir- 
*5^^ ring, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, 
where he was engaged as a farmer. Our subject's 
mother was JMagdalena (Schrat) Sehnirring, a 
native of the same place as was her husband, where 
they both died. The}' were the parents of seven 
children, tliree of wliom are now living. Of these 
our subject w.as the sixth child in order of birth, 
his natal day being May 15, 1836, and his birth- 
place being Wurtemberg. 

The original of our sketch grew to manhood in 
his native country and there received a good edu- 
cation, havinw been a student c>f a High School in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



219 



Germany. On reaching his majority he startotl 
out from liome to engage in the struggle of hfc 
for himself and America offering inducements to 
an energetic young man superior to any other 
country he cast his lines here, and on arriving in 
this country proceeded directl}' to Michigan and 
settled in Freedom Township where he worked 
out on a farm by the day. He continued this for 
a time in order that he might learn to speak Eng- 
lish and also to learn the methods of work in this 
country. 

Later Mr. Schnirring became a teaclier of Ger- 
man in Lodi and Freedom Townships and was very 
successful in this work. In 1857 he was united in 
marriage to Christian Lawrence, a daughter of 
Henry Lawrence of Wurtemberg, Germany. She 
was born in 1833 and was well versed in her 
native tongue and the usual brandies as taught in 
German schools. This union has been blest 
by the advent of nine children, seven of whom ai e 
now living. Of these Riga is the wife of John 
Monroe and lives in California; Regina married 
Peter Johnson and also lives in California; Will- 
iam is the husband of Lizzie Scherdt and lives in 
Bridgewater; Clara. Paulina, Eugene and Minnie 
are still under the home roof. 

Our subject settled upon his present farm twen- 
ty-three years ago (1891) and now has one hun- 
dred twenty acres, ninety acres of which are im- 
proved. He built all the buildings on the place 
and he has a very pleasant house that is charm- 
ingly located on the southeast corner of Pleasant 
Lake. Since living here he has added greatly to 
the value of his land by the careful and thorough 
attention he has given it. 

Mr. Schnirring has given his children very good 
educational advantages and they are able to hold 
their own both in English and German with the 
young people of the d.ay. The family are mem- 
bers of the Evangelical Church, of which our sub- 
ject has been a Trustee for twenty-two years. For 
the past eighteen years he has been a member of 
the School Board and for fifteen years has been 
School Inspector of Freedom Township. Our 
subject is a Democrat in his political sympathies 
and has been elected to some local oftices by virtue 
of his loyalty to his ]).artv. Mr. Schnirring carries 



on his agricultural operations independently and 
devotes himself to gener.al farming, supplementing 
the products of the soil h\' raising graded stock. 
He is an encouraging illustration of what a man 
may accomplish in America, for like so many 
Others he began life empty-h.anded, and the fine 
property whicli he is now possessed of he has 
earned by his own iiulividual efforts. 



^^>'^^<i 



DWARD DUFFY. A native of the Emerald 
Isle, Mr. Duffy is characterized by the geni- 
ality and large-heartedness for which his 
countrymen are known, lie is at the present time 
Vice-President of the Farmers & Mechanics Bank. 
His interests in his individual business are centered 
in a wholesale and retail grocery establishment. 
He was born December 24, 1844, and is the seventh 
son of John and Ellen Duffy, who emigrated to the 
United States in 1850, and located not a great 
while after, in Washtenaw County, where they still 
carry on general farming and stock-raising. Both 
parents were devoted members of the Catholic 
Church. 

One of eleven children, our subject now numbers 
the fourth of those who survive. Edward Duffy 
spent his early boyhood on his father's farm and 
received a good education in the district schools 
of the county where lie lived. At the age of twelve 
jcars he went to New York City and entered a 
store as clerk. He remained here for a time, and 
later was a clerk in a l)ook and stationery store for 
sixteen years. 

At the end of the time, as above stated, our sub- 
ject returned to Michigan and located in Ann Ar- 
bor. He opened up a modest business in the gro- 
cery trade; also carrying a stock of house-furnish- 
ing goods. His first business place was on the same 
site which he now occupies — at the corner of N. 
Main and Ann Streets. Theie he kept a large stock 
of groceries, teas, coffees and spices, extending his 
trade as his means permitted until he began to 
handle them in very large quantities. He has done 
his own roasting and grinding, and has a neat gas 



220 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



engine in his store with which he does this work. 
lie is also the manufacturer of a superior article in 
baking powder, the purity of whicli he guarantees. 
Mr. Duffy was married in 1865, to Miss Margaret 
Hughes, a nativ^e of Brooklyn, N. Y., and the 
daughter of John Hughes. Mr. and Mrs. Duffy are 
the parents of eigiit children, there being five boys 
and three girls. He has been elected to the most 
important positions of the municipality, and for 
twelve years served as County Superintendent t>f 
the Poor. Ilis connection with the bank has ex- 
tended oN'cr a term of ten years, louring the ad- 
ministration of President (iraut, our subject was 
a[)pointed Postmaster of Ann Arbor. He had the 
tenure of ottice under Grant, again under Cleve- 
land, and was relieved of his })osition under Harri- 
son. Mr. Duffy is a stanch Democrat, and a de- 
voted member of the Catholic Church, as are also 
the other iiuMiibcrs of his familv. 



X 



ILL! AM DANSINGBIRG. The gen- 
r^i! tleman who occupies the honorable posi- 

y'^y tion of Supervisor in Augusta Township, 
Washtenaw County, is a resident on section 18. 
Mr. Dansingburg is a native of the township and 
county wherein he now lives. He is not yet bowed 
down with the weight of years, nor has his honor- 
able position any tinge of venerability, for he was 
l)orn May 6, 1846, being the son of Peter and 
Elizabeth (Wilson) Dansingburg. Both parents 
were natives of New York State. His paternal 
grandsire was a German and on the maternal side 
he is of Irish ancestry. Peter Dansingburg , the 
father of our subject, came to Washtenaw County 
in 1833, and settled upon the farm whereon our 
subject now resides. His first purchase was eighty 
acres, which was patented to him direct from the 
Government, and for whicli he paid •^1.2.i per 
acre. 

The homestead in which our subject was horn 
was a log cabin that was originally built in the 
midst of the woods. His father on coining to the 



place was oliliged to cut the underbrush for a dis- 
tance of a mile in order to reach his place. The 
cabin whicli he erected lioastcd of a stick chimney 
and when the little family <Hitgrew that they 
erected a better log house, and later in life, about 
18.")1, built the present commodious and comfort- 
■ible residence occupied by our subject. lie of 
whom we writ« is not unacquainted with the 
hardships of pioneer life, his father having come 
to the country a poor man, entirely dependent 
upon his own exertions. He, however, left, at the 
time of his death, an estate whicii included one 
hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land. 
Peter Dansingburg departed this life September 
20, 1885, his wife having preceded him h\ a num. 
ber of years, her death occurring Sei)tember 20, 
1879. In their decease the county lost two of her 
most enterprising and progressive pioneers. The 
husband had served as Supervisor of Augusta 
Township at an earl^' day, and was ambitious that 
this district should vii' with its sisters successfully 
in all advantages. 

William Dansingburg very early imbibed the 
ideas of independence as well as mutual responsi- 
bility in the life to which he was reared. The 
country settled rapidly with a good classs of resi- 
dents, and among these our subject was made 
to feel that he was equallj- responsible for har- 
mony, justice and equity in governmental affairs 
as in social relations. Born to humble circum- 
stances, in which jirudence and economv took an 
important part, the life to which our subject was 
reared was characterized l\y simplicity and one- 
ness of purpose. Born on a farm, he involuntarily 
grew up with a Ijetter knowledge of agricultural 
affairs than one wlio is not so reared. He recei\'ed 
the rudiments of his education in the district 
schools of Augusta Township and had the advan- 
tage of a year and a half at the State Normal 
School at Ypsilanti; he also graduated from Bry- 
ant ik Stratton's Business College at Detroit, and 
as may easily be seen, he is thoroughly fitted for 
any position in jiractical business or Governmental 
affairs for which his judgment shall prompt him to 
become a candidate. 

October 25, 1871. our suliject was married to 
Jliss Marilla Warner, daiiichter of .left'erson and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



221 



Susan Warner, wliose parents were early settlers in 
this county. The original of our sketch is now 
the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of well- 
improved land. Tiie home has received additious, 
and many modern comforts and conveniences 
have been added to its roominess. He is the father 
of two children. For four years he served as Clerk 
of Augusta Township, being first elected as Su- 
pervisor of the township in 1879. and with the 
exception of the years 188,5-90, he has been an in- 
cumbent of that position ever since. 

Socially Mr. Dansingburg is united with the 
Ancient Order of ITnited Workmen of Ypsilanti. 
In politics he cast the weight of his vote and in- 
fluence with the Republican party. 



y^ILLARD B. SMITH, M. D. Prominent in 
the professional world of Ann Arbor is 
J^^ the name of Dr. .Smith, whose services to 
humanity are worthy of record in this volume. 
He was born in Orleans County, N. Y., March 7, 
1838 and is the eldest son of Dr. Ransom S. and 
Emily B. (Burroughs) Smith. The father was bom 
in Connecticut and the mother in Eastern New 
York, and the former practiced medicine for a 
number of years in Orleans County, N. Y., coming 
to Ann Arbor in 18/)8, and living here a retired 
life until his death which took place in .Tuly, 1876. 
The mother had died before the f.amily emigrated 
to the West and she left three children, only two 
now living. Willard B. was only two years of 
age when his mother died. I'p to his twentieth 
year our subject remained in his native county, 
and then removed with his ))arents to Ann Arbor, 
where he entered the High Sciiool and here pre- 
pared for college, taking his diploma from that in- 
stitution in the medical department in 18CI, after 
which he commenced practice in Ann Arbor. 

The patriotic impulses as well as the professional 
pride of our suliject led him to take up work for 
his country in its hour of peril, and in 1862 he 
was commissioned Assistant Surgeon of the First 
Regiment, Michigan Engineers and Mechanics and 



was sent to the Army of the Cumberland, where he 
was enabled to render valual)le service before beiug 
taken ill in conse(|ueuce of which he w.as sent 
hoiuc. 

I'pon recovering liis hcnith the young l)ocl()r 
was again .sent out to \'irginia and was stationed 
ill front of Petersburg and Fortress ^Monroe, re- 
maining there until he received liis honornlile 
discharge. Ipuu returning to Ann Arlmr lie re- 
sumed the practice which he had droi)|)ed and has 
continued in Imilding it up until the present time, 
and he can truthfully be said to enjoy tin.' con- 
fidence of the patrons and to linve in his liands a 
large and lucrative practice. His pioperly is ex- 
tensive and valuable and more than most men of 
his profession he has accumulated wealth. 

The hapi)y marriage of our subject with jNIiss 
Sarah F. North, daughter of Linas North, took 
place November 14, 1863, and the lesult of that 
union is one daughter, Emily L., who is now the 
wife of B. .1. BouLwella promising young attorney 
of Ann Arlior. The citizens of this city have re- 
peatedly placed the Doctor in offices of responsi- 
bility, chief among which is the mayoralty which 
he fllled for three terms. He is a member of the 
American Medical Socie':y and a Mason, having at- 
tained the degree of Knight Templar. He is a 
stockholder and a Director in the Ann Arbor Sav- 
ings liank of wiiicli his father was one of the 
original organizers. The Agricultural Society made 
him its Treasurer for one year, and he helped to 
organize the Butter and Cheese Company and was 
made its Secretary and Treasurer. He owns a large 
tract of land in Texas and also in Iowa, besides .an 
interest in coal mines near Ottumwa, Iowa. 

The Medical Societies of both W.ashtenaw 
County and the State of Michigan count him 
among their active members. He is a Republican 
in his political views but has little time to devote 
to active politics. Dr. Smith was one of the men 
who promoted the movement to organize a Board 
of Pension Examiners and he made two trips to 
Washington, D. C, at his own expense, in the in- 
terest of the cause, and on the organization of the 
Board he was made its President, which position 
he held until under the Cleveland administration 
he was relieved of his responsible [)osition because 



222 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



he was regarded as "an offeusive partisan.'" Tlie 
residence of Dr. Smith is situated at No. 44 East 
Huron Street and witliin its walls is to lie found 
true happiness and harmony. 



]-^+^[ 



''I^ANIEL P.rsiIXELL GREENE, the oldest 
II Ji) attorney- of Ypsilanti, located in this place 
• |U^ in ISoO, and has secured a satisfactorj- de- 
gree of worldly success by reason of his personal 
traits and the exercise of unmistakable business 
al)ility. His natural acumen, added to the thorough 
education he received in youth, makes him judi- 
cious in law, and his desire to reach the highest 
possible position keeps him ever on the alert to add 
to his knowledge by observation and study. For 
more than forty years he has been a prominent 
member of the bar in this city and is a man of 
.studious habits, intelligence and upright character. 

Porn August 17, 1817, Mr. Greene is a native of 
Northfield, Washington County, Vt., and is a son 
V of Nathan and .hdia (Strong) Greene. His ances- 
tors originally came from England about 1(;40 and 
settling in New England, became well known as 
the CJreene's of (^uidnessit, on the border between 
Connecticut and Rhode Island, where they resided 
for many j'ears. John Greene, the founder of the 
famil}'', was born there, and in that vicinitj' the 
father of our subject first saw the light of day. The 
mother of our subject resided in Lebanon, Conn., 
and lielonged to an old family of that State, being 
a desecndunt of .Tolin Strong, who camo to America 
in 1630. 

In 1836 the father of our ,sid)ject who followed 
the avocation of a farmer, came to Michigan with 
his family and located in Bridgewater, in the 
st)Uthern part of this county. He became one of 
the earliest settlers of this .section, locating on a 
farm which had been partially iniiiroved and mak- 
ing it his home until his ileath. As a pioneer, his 
name is indissolubly associated with the develop- 
ment of this county and his memory is revered by 
all who love their country and glory in ib? pro- 
gress. Nathan (Jreone was voi'v .ictivc in iiioiuol- 



ing the welfare of the Preslnterian Church, to 
which he belonged, and his life of self-sacrifice and 
uprightness honoi'ed his profession of Christianity. 
His eyes closed upon the scenes of ^arth March 31, 
18;J6; his wife survived him until October 17, 1869, 
when she too entered into her final rest. 

The parental family comprised five children, 
three of whom survive. .Shubael R. is located in 
Lansing, and jMrs. Mary A. Weeks resides in New- 
ark, N. J. Our subject passed his youth in the 
East where he received a grammar education ; the 
good foundation which he had thus laid he further 
added to by becoming a student in the Tecumseh 
Branch of the University of ^Michigan, where he 
took the higher studies. Soon after completing 
his education he commenced to teach and as the 
branch school was withdrawn, he started a private 
school and whde teaching there, studied law. He 
read mainly with C. A. Stacej-, who was Probate 
.Judge of Lenawee Count}' at that time. About 
1848 he was admitted to practice at the bar of the 
State of Michigan, at Adrian and located for the 
[jractice of his prt)fession in Tecumseh. 

After remaining in Tecumseh one year Mr. 
Greene removed hither and has been a lawyer here 
since 1850. From 1851 until 1856 he was associa- 
ted in partnership with the Hon. Elias M. Skinner, 
and afterward was for one year the partner of 
Amos C. Blodgett. Since that time he has prac- 
ticed alone. As would naturally be imagined of a 
man of his ability, he has been frequently called 
upon by his fellow-citizens to fill positions of trust 
and responsibility and has always discharged the 
duties devolving upon him with credit to himself 
and satisfaction to his constituents. However he 
has never been an office seeker, and the positions 
he has held have only been accei)ted with reluc- 
tance. He served as Justice of the Peace when 
the citj- was incorporated in 1858; he was also aji- 
pointed Postmaster in May, 1864, by President 
Lincoln, and held this iKisition until he resigned 
in Jtdy, 1871. Since 1885 he has been County 
Agent of the State Board of Correction and Char- 
ities, although he gives his main attention to the 
practice of law. 

The culture and estimable char.icter of ISIiss Al- 
niira L. ]\Iills. wlio was born in (iroveland. N. Y.. 



'iJ*<^S 




^^yw^^^ 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



■22;- 



September 2, 1822, won tlic legaitl of Mr. Greene, 
which being' reciprocated, they were united in mar- 
riage April 2.1^45. Mrs. Greene was tlie danghter 
of Maj. I'hilo IVIills. of the town of Franklin and 
became the mother of tliree sons — Artluir M.. now 
a )-esidcnt of t'hicago; Wilmer D.. who makes his 
home in Kansas Citj-, and Edward, of this city. 
The sons are holding honorable positions in life 
and by their useful careers are reflecting cicdit 
npon their early training. Mr. (ireene is a faithful 
member of the Presbyterian Church and the offlce 
which he has enjoyed as much as any ever held, is 
that of Elder in which capacity he has served since 
^larch. 18.52. His wife, who was also a devoted 
niembvir of the Presbyterian Church, passed from 
earth July 6, 1889, leaving her husband to mourn 
the loss of one who had ever been to him a loving 
helpmate and wise counselor. 



=®^ 



\1[ ^ ENRY C. GREGORY. We do not measure 

Ijf )ii a man's life by years l)Ut by intensity. If 
-h'yT we measure the life of Mr. Gregory by the 
l(£)) work he has accomplished then he was the 
most venerable of men, although at the time of his 
death he was less than forty-two years years of age. 
As an influential citizen of the thriving town of 
Dexter and one .who contributed greatly to its 
growth, it gives us pleasure to present the main 
facts of his life to our readers. A native of the 
Wolverine State, he was born in Scio Township, 
this county, April 20, 1848, and passed from the 
busy scenes of earth April 11. ISlio.nt his home in 
Dexter. 

Tlis father of our subject is C. S. Gregory, whose 
portrait accompanies this sketch and who is Presi- 
dent of the banking house of C. S.Gregory ife Son. 
lie is a native of the State of New York, born of 
parents whose native home was in Connecticut, 
and descended from Scotch stock. His earlv train- 
ing was received on a farm and after completing 
the course of study in the district school, lie was a 
pupil in an academy for one term. In his early 
manhood he was married, choosing as his wife Miss 



Margaret Vannest who, like himself, was born in 
New York. The young couple had little capital 
an<l rented a farm, whicli Mr. Gregory worked 
ui)on shares for three years. With the proceeds 
of his labor he bought a quarter-section of laud in 
Howell, Livingston County. Mc has been greatly 
prospered financially and is now senior member of 
the Arm of C. S. Gregory ct .Sons, bankers; he is 
probably tiie wealthiest man in Dexter. 

Throughout life C.S.Gregory has attiliated with 
the Democratic party and has held variou.s.oflices 
of trust and responsibility. He has l)een Super- 
\-i.sor of Scio Township four years. For twenty 
years he was Trustee of Dexter High School and 
was chairman of the building committee when the 
new schoolhouse was erected. His fellow-citizens 
honored him by electing him to the Jlichigan Leg- 
islature, and he I'epresented his constituents for two 
regular and two special terms. He was also Presi- 
dent of the coi'poratiou of Dexter for five years, 
and b}' his energy and ability has contributed 
greatlj' to the growth of this thriving place. 

In his boyhood Henry C.Gregory enjoyed excel- 
lent opportunities for education and completed his 
studies in the High School at Dexter. Beginning 
his business career as clerk for Mr. Costello in Dex- 
ter at the age of nineteen, he became connected 
with him in business under the firm name of Cos- 
tello & Gregory. He thus continued until 1876, 
and after thirteen years passed in the same store as 
clerk and proprietor he embarked in the banking 
business with his father under the name of C. S. 
Gregory tt Son. He took the position of cashier 
and thus continued until his death. In connection 
with this line of work he often engaged in iuiying 
and shipping wool, poultry, etc., and also carried on 
the leading insurance l)usiness of the town. He 
had excellent business capabilities and his loss to 
the business interests of the town is a real one. 

The residence of the family which stands near 
the center of the town was built under his super- 
vision in 1885 and is one of the neatest homes in 
Dexter. Mr. Gregory was married September 17, 
1874 to Joannah, daughter of Robert and Abbie 
(Wood) Locksmith, who came from Plattsburg, 
N. Y., in 1868. Mr. Locksmith was a miller by trade 
and came West on account of his health, hoping 



226 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



tlint tlie clinifite here woiiUl licttcr aaree with him. 
Iiut ill this ho \v;is <lisn|)i)(iiiiti'i1 :i> 111' died during 
tlio first ye.Ti- of liis resiih-iu-c here. Mrs. I,(ick- 
smitli resides witli Mrs. (Iregmy. nnd the {wv lie- 
reaved widows malce for eneli other a eoiiuciiial 
liome. 

Mrs. Gregory was liorii in .MilliHirt. Cliemuiig 
County, N. Y., Julj' 14, 1H47. For nearly two 
years before lier marriage she was tlie popular 
clerk in the Dexter post-office under Postmaster 
J. T. Honey. She is an earnest and active member 
of the Episcopal Chureii, of which body her hus- 
band was a supporter. He was also a member of 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, being Sec- 
retary of the local society. His political views 
made him a Democrat and tliroughout his life lie 
was active in the upbuilding of that party. 






^i^)ICTOR C. V AUGH AN, .M. D. The able pro- 
\J/ fessor of Hygiene and Ph3'siological Chem- 
W istry, and Director of the Hygienic Labora- 
tory in the University of INIichigan, is the gentle- 
man whose name heads tiiis sketch. He was born 
in Randolph County, Mo., October 27, 18,51. and 
is the son of .Tobn and Addie (Daineron) Vauglian. 
The former was a native of North Carolina and the 
latter of Missouri. The Vaughans and Daraerons 
were of English and French e.Ktraction respectively- 

As a lad our subject received instruction as was 
common in the South from a private tutor until 
sixteen years of age, wlien he entered the Central 
('oUege at Fayette, Mo., where he remained one 
year, going from that institution to Mount Pleas- 
ant College at Huntsville, Mo., from wiiich he grad- 
uated in 1872. After finishing his course he took 
a professorship in the last named institution as a 
teacher of Latin and held the position for two years 
at the expiration of which time he entered the Lit. 
erary Department of the University of Michigan, 
taking the Master's degree in 1875, and the foUow- 
ino- vear adding the title of Doctor of Philos- 
ophy. 

In 1876 he entered the Medical Department of 



the Michigan University from which he graduated 
in 1878. since whicli time lie has luiilt up a large 
and lucrative practice in the city of .\iin Arbor. 
Ill 1876 he was]given charge of the Departiiiciil of 
Physiological ChemistiT in the University and in 
1887 was made Director of the Hygienic Laiira- 
tory and jjrofessor of Hygiene and Pliysiological 
Chemistry. Dr. ^'aughan is a prominent member 
of the medical profession with an extended reputa- 
tion, owing in part to his discovery, in 188,") of 
tyro-toxicon. or cheese poison and subsequently 
of the same poison in milk and ice-cream. 

August 16, 1877, Dr. Vaughan was united in 
marriage to Miss Dora Taylor of Huntsville, Mo., 
a daughter of G. W. Taylor, Esq. Dr. and Mrs. 
N'aughan are the parents of four sons, all of whom 
are living. They are by name. Victor C, .Jr., .John 
Walter, Herbert and Henry. Our subject has an 
elegant residence, constructed of brick trimmed with 
stone and built in modern style, located at No. 15, 
South State Street. He has a fine private library, 
which contains the best works upon the latest dis- 
coveries of science and also a choice collection of 
the finest literary productions. 

The Doctor is a member of the Democratic party- 
He cast his first Presidential vote for Charles 
O'Connor in 1872. He is an honorary member of 
various college societies and a member of the Ger- 
man Chemical Society of Berlin and is a foreign 
member of the French Society of Hygiene and a 
member of the State Board of Health and has lield 
various municipal offices in Ann Arlior. 



-^-^^>^^<i 



ON. AARON CHILDS. For many years 
the gentleman whose name is given above 
stood at the head of social and financial 
\fi^J affairs in Augusta Township, Washtenaw 
County. He was regarded as the most enterprising 
pioneer of this district and it gives us great pleasure 
to chronicle here the events that mark his life as one 
of usefulness, making it a memorial of the virtues 
of a man, who while living, was always generous 
in conceding to others the full value of their ad- 



PORTRAIT AND HIOCajAl'IIICAL ALBUM. 



227 



Villi tagcs and cliiiraeteristies. He was a iiatixc nf 
New Ilainiishirt'. there lioin in \>^t)(i. his natal <lay 
lit'lni^' Deeeiiiber 1. lie was a swi nf .losiah and 
Ahiii'ail (Ward) Cliilds. and was reaicd to nian- 
liood in his native Slate. 

I'niil sixteen years of age oxir subject reniaiiuMl 
(in a taini. lending such .assistance as his time taken 
fniin his studies woidd aHow, to bis father in 
cultivating the home place. At tlie .age al)Ove 
mentioned he began to learn the trade of a I'loth- 
dresser, entering a woolen factory, and he was eni- 
l>lo>ed in different capacities in these factories for 
a number of years. In education he received the 
best that the district schools of New Hampshire 
offered at that time, and then as now the Eastern 
States were celebrated for the educational advant- 
;iges its vouth enjoved. He was naturally of a 
studious inclination and independently of his 
scholastic work in the school-room and under the 
tuteilage of masters, he became a well-informed 
young man. 

April 9, 1832. he entered into the marital rela- 
tion with Hannah F. Berais, wlio was born in \'er- 
mont, .luly 9, 1814. She was a daughter of Jona- 
than and Lavina (Greenwood) Bemis, both of 
ivhoni were natives of New Hampshire. After 
their daughter was settled in life Mr. and Mrs. 
Bemis moved to ^'erniont and there died. Mrs. 
Cliilds' paternal grandfather, .lames Bemis, was a 
soldier in the Revolutionary AVar, having received 
his commission as Lieutenant. He bore away from 
the field of Lexington an honoralile badge of his 
loyalt\- in the shape of a wound. 

Mrs. Cliilds was educated at Wyndhain, \{. and 
was an accomplished and capal)le young lady. To 
the wedded couple came nine children. They are 
Col. .Jonathan AY. Childs, Lewis E., Lavina L., 
AVilliam K.. Eugene M., Alma C, Ellen A., Hannah 
and Elvira. The first named was long a resident 
of AVashington, 1). C. being employed in the Land 
Ollice department. He enlisted as ALajor and was 
afterward made Colonel of the Fourth Regiment 
of Michigan. Lewis E., deceased, was a captain of 
a companj' in the Eleventh Alichigan Inf.antry. 
He was wounded in Chickamauga and suffered 
from his wound a luiinlier of years. Anally dying 
from its effects. Lavina L. is the wife of Roliert 



('.•unpbell, of Ann Arbor; AVilliam K. was a private 
in the Ninth Michigan Infantry; he is now residing 
ill Ann Arbor. Eugene M. lives on the home 
farm; Alma C. is a graduate of the Normal School 
at Ypsilaiiti and now a public school te.acher; Ellen 
is deceased as are also Hannah and Elvira. 

In 1843 Mr. Childs and his family emigrated to 
Michigan, coming hither by way of the F]rie Canal 
and lakes to Monroe. He settled on the farm 
which his widow now occupies, it being located on 
section lo. He settled practically in the woods, 
there being a log house on the place at the time of 
his purchase. He cleared a few acres and he and 
his wife endeavored to make the best of circum- 
stances in those pioneer days. He was all his life 
a hard worker and made a fine beginning upon the 
farm which his widow now occupies, in putting it 
in first-class order. He was well-known through- 
out the country as an luniest, intelligent and ener- 
getic business man. On first coining here he was 
greatl}- hampered by sickness in his family, that 
dread enemy of the early settlers laying hold upon 
one member after another and each shivering in 
turn with chills and fever. In the earl3- part of 
his career he was appointed Township Clerk of 
Augusta Township and the first town meeting was 
held in the log house which was the first residence 
of the family. At that time he was chosen Clerk 
and assisted in organizing the township. For 
fifteen years he also served as Supervisor and jier- 
formed the duties incident to that office with great 
credit. He was a strong advocate for advance- 
ment and improvement in schools, believing that 
economy in that particular was often most deteri- 
mental to a locality. He and his wife were mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church and our 
subject served as Steward in the body of which he 
wtis a member for son e years. 

Politically our subject was a Democrat, believing 
in the divine right of the individual and State. 
For one term he served in the Lower House of the 
State Legislature, having been elected to that body 
in 1870. Successful in his business ventures, on 
our subject's decease, which took place Alarch 26, 
1882, he left his family and widow well provided 
for. He was a man of great strength of character 
and his principles were of the purest nature. Mrs. 



228 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



t'liilds still resides on the home farm and has the 
distinction of being one of the oldest women who 
came as a pioneer to this district. She is an 
honored member of society. Identified in church 
matters with the Congregational Church, she has 
been one of the most ardent of workers in that 
body. 

In the death of our sulijcct, Augusta Township 
lost one of her most honored citizens. As a Re- 
presentative in the State Legislature and in filling 
the various otficial positions to which he was 
elected by the people, he gave eminent satisfaction, 
giving a heedful ear to the advice of the wise and 
being impervious to corruption and bribes. Repre- 
sentative Childs was a brother of the Hon. J. 
Webster Childs and the venerable octogenarian. 
Josiah Childs, the latter being a typical representa- 
tive of pioneer life in Michigan. 



_J 



THOMAS S. SP:ARS. This representative 
farmer of Lima Township, comes from good 
old New P^ngland stock as his father Thomas 
Sears, Sr., was a native of Massachusetts and in 
early daj'S removed to New York and in 1887 
came to Michigan and settled on a farm in Lima 
Township and there passed the remainder of his 
days his death occurring in 1839. 

The father of our subject was married to Sophia 
James, a native of Goshen, Mass., and to them 
were born ten children. The father was a physi- 
cian and practiced in New York for a number of 
years. He continued his practice after coming to 
Michigan, and also devoted himself to the culture 
of his fine farm of two hundred acres. The Pres- 
byterian Church was the religious body with 
which he and his wife were identified. Dr. Scars 
was thus one of the pioneers of this county. 

Thomas S. Sears was born in Octolier, 1826, in 
Columbia County, N. Y., and at the age of eleven 
came to ISIichigan with his pai'ents. Two years 
later as we have noted his father was called to 
close his e.irthlv career and the mother and son 



continued to reside upon the farm together. His 
brother, C. W. Sears who is about ten years the 
senior of our subject, graduated at the AVest Point 
Military Academy and was in the United .States 
service during the Florida War, being first a Lieut- 
enant and afterwards a Captain in the regular 
army. He .afterward took a professorship at New 
Orleans where he resided for a number of years 
and sul)sefiueutly was a professor at Oxford, Miss., 
for quite a long period and died in 1891, leaving 
a wife and five children. 

Our subject remained upon the farm with his 
mother and continued her companion and main- 
stay until her death which took place in January, 
1879. Mr. Sears was married in 1888 in Lima 
Township, to Anna Congdon, a daughter of Char- 
les Congdon, a native of Connecticut who was a 
settler in Chelsea, Mich., where he died in 1883. 
Mr. Congdon came to Michigan in 1856. Mr. 
Sears now owns four hundred and eighty acres of 
excellent land in Lima Township, and this land he 
has himself brought from a state of an unbroken 
forest to its present richlj' cultivated condition. 
Important and substantial improvements have been 
placed by him upon this farm. He has been con- 
nected with the Chelsea Savings Bank since its 
organization. He is a general farmer and stock- 
raiser and one of the most prosperous men in his 
township. 



i^+^l 



JEFFERSON GIBSON. Among the pho- 
tographers of Ann Arbor, the gentleman 
who is the subject of this sketch holds a 
prominent position as a leading member of 
the profession. His place of business is at No 12 
West Huron Street. Mr. Gibson was born in Lon- 
tiou, Canada, August 18, 18.51, and is the son of 
John and Elizabeth (Comstock) Gibson, his father 
being a native of Canada and his mother of New 
York State. Mr. Gibson, Sr., was a manufacturer 
of steel mill picks, and also a general blacksmith. 

Our subject is the eldest of three brothers and 
received a lilieral education at St. Alarv's school in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



229 



the town of St. Maiy's, Canada. Immediately 
after leaving scliool lie commenced liis career as a 
photographer at !St. Mary'ts, a beginning which has 
since developed into such large proportions. 
After remaining eighteen months in St. Mary's he 
removed to Bay City, wliere he conducted a suc- 
cessful business in photography and all its branches 
for eight years, .lustly thinking that Ann Arlior 
would afford a wider field for him to extend his 
business lie concluded to move there in 1883 .and 
at that time formed a partnership with PI B. Lewis 
under the firm name of Lewis & Gibson. This 
partnership continued for two years when he pur- 
chased Mr. Lewis' interests and still continues at 
the old stand. 

Mr. Gibson is a live man and progressive, keep- 
ing everything in his line up to the highest 
standard without limiting himself to any particular 
branch. Everything from a small photo to a life- 
sized picture receives equal attention in his estab- 
lishment. He also makes a specialty of crayon 
work and enlarging pictures. Not content with 
the large business he does at Ann Arbor, he runs 
several branch galleries in different parts of the 
State. Mr. (^ibson was married in 1889 to Miss 
May Clark, daughter of John H. Clark, of Ypsi- 
lanti. Mrs. Gibson is an artist herself having 
given her whole attention to the photograph busi- 
ness for three years previous to her marriage and 
was Mr. Gibson's partner previous to that time. 



1^^^- 



"(t' AMES B. LORD is a venerable and esteemed 
septuagenarian citizen of Augusta Town- 
^,^1 siiip. He is a native of Madison County, 
(^/y N. Y., and was born May 24, 1820. He is a 
son of Andrew and Saloma (Tenney) Lord. His 
father and mother were both natives of New Eng- 
land and his ancestors were of English origin on 
both sides of the family. Mr. Lord is the second 
eldest S(m in his father's family and resided in the 
Empire State until 1836, when with his parents he 
emigrated to Michigan. They made their home 
for several j'ears in Oakland County and there 



Andrew Lord died, after which sad event our sub- 
ject with his mother and other members of the 
family removed to Buffalo, N. Y., and there resided 
for several years, the decease of the mother taking 
place in that city. 

( )ur subject's youth was spent to a large extent 
in farming, although while in Buffalo and working 
for himself, he engaged in the mercantile business 
and after that time he resumed his farming inter- 
ests. As a boy James Lord attended district and se- 
lect schools in New York State, as he did also in 
Michigan, and in this way received a fair English 
education, and for several years after finishing his 
own course he engaged in teaching in Oakland 
County, this State. He is a man of remarkable 
memory and has a large fund of practical knowl- 
edge at his command. 

October 12, 1852, the original of our sketch was 
married to Miss Susan Trump who was born in 
Monroe County, N. Y". She was a daughter of 
Daniel Trump and with her parents at an early day 
emigrated, about 1840, to Oakland C'ounty, where 
they were early settlers. By this union our sub- 
ject and his wife have become the parents of ten 
children. They are Ella, Frank, Lizzie. Charles, 
Clara E.. Mary E., Andrew P., Herbert, William 
and Edwin J. The eldest daughter is the wife of 
George Smith and resides in Kansas, as does Frank ; 
Lucy is the wife of George Iveson and lives in 
California, as does Charles; Clara E. is a graduate 
of the High School at Ypsilanti; Mary is the wife 
of Howard Moore of Augusta Township; Andrew 
P. lives in the State of Washington; the younger 
sons make their home under the paternal roof. 

Our subject came to Augusta Township in the 
'50s and settled on his present farm in 1870 and 
here has ever since lived. He is the owner of 
eighty acres of land which is in a good state of 
cultivation. Mr. Lord has filled various township 
offices. He has served as School Inspector and has 
done efficient work in this capacity. Politically 
he favors the Prohibition party. In liis Church 
relations he is a Congregationalist. Mrs. Lord, 
who for so many years was the devoted helpmate 
and counselor of him of whom we write, died 
March 15, 1885. Such losses are irreparable to one 
who is so advanced in years as our subject, and the 



230 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



void that is left is an aching one. Mrs. Lord was 
a devoted Congregationalist and in her death, not 
only her famil}- felt her loss, but she was greatly 
missed bj^ neighbors and acquaintances. Mr. and 
Mrs. Lord have been closely identified with the 
growth of the best phases of society in this local- 
ity. In connection with his farming our subject 
carries on quite an extensive dairying business, 
which he has found to l>e verv lucrative. 



G 



lEORGE CMHIlSTMAvS PAGE. :Malcrial 
wealth must not exclude the riches of char- 
acter and abilitj' in our recountal of the 
values which have been brought to this country l)y 
its citizens, and among its most precious treasures 
must be estimated the lives of those citizens who 
have by their intelligence iind their eminence in 
tiie higher walks of life, assisted in raising the 
stand.ard of life and thought among u?;. No one 
has probably done more in this line than he of 
whom we now write. His name is significant of 
his natal day as he was born December 25, 1810, at 
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk County, England, a 
great ship-building point and one of the old cities 
which was formerlj- siu-i'ounded by a wall. 

The father of our subject, William Page, was 
married to Mary Bunn and was a carpenter by 
trade. Our subject was the second in a family of 
five wlio lived to maturity, and his eldest brother, 
William Philip Page, is now living in London at 
the age of eighty -seven. The boy early learned 
the tailor's trade at (ireat> Yarmouth, spending six 
years in his apprenticeship, his brother being fore- 
man in the same estaltlisiiment. Tjion tire com- 
pletion of his apprenticeship, (ieorge came to this 
county in .July. 18;ili. .and made his first stopping 
(>lace at Itica, N. Y., and then moved on to Roch- 
ester, where he spent one year. He had only 
three five-cent piecesas his cai)ital when he reached 
that city, but his industry and i)er>everance were 
worth more than any amount of money which lie 
might have fnouuhl with him. Aflei' ;i few nK>nths 



he went to Coburg, Canada, leaving his father, who 
had also come to this country, at Rochester, and 
they soon both came to ^Michigan, reaciiing Ann 
Arbor June 6, 1832. 

The young man secured work with Loren 3Iills 
and remained with him until September. exce|)t for 
a short visit which he made to Jackson, but soon 
followed liis father to Dexter as he had already 
come here. The following spring he returned to 
Ann Arbor to enter into a business partnershi}) 
with a man named INIr. Kelley. He had bought a 
lot in Dexter and was having a house built upon 
it and upon the 8th of May, 18.33, he took to him- 
self a wife. His marriage was celebrated at Walled 
Lake. Oakland C'ounty, and he then spent one year 
at Ann Arbor but the following May came to Dex- 
ter to occupy his own house. 

Mr. Page continued in the tailoring Inisiness for 
seventeen years and then as his boys were getting 
large enough to need more work than a town home 
provided, he removed to a farm, less than two 
miles out of Dexter on the Ann Arbor road, and 
there made his home for seventeen years, although 
during all that time he continued to carry on his 
business and also served as Justice of the Peace. 
In 1868 he removed back to town, his family then 
being only himself and wife, and he lias since acted 
as Justice of the Peace, Notary Pubhc, etc., having 
filled the former office from 1841 to 1887, contin- 
uously, but he now refu.ses furtiier re-election. He 
keeps a repositoiy of many old documents and his 
knowledge of the business affairs of this section of 
the county is extensive as he has served as Ad- 
ministrator of many estates and as Receiver for a 
number of firms, one of the most important of 
which was that of Tyler & Piatt, who did an ex- 
tensive mercantile business in Dexter. 

Mr. Page has a remarkable record in the dis- 
charge of the duties of a Justice as he devoted 
himself with greatdiscernment, shrewdness and de- 
votion to the subject of law, making a thorougli 
study of the statutes and of legal principles and 
being thoroughly read on general law and familiar 
with sjiecial pleadings. His practice for many 
years embi'aced a number of important civil and 
criminal cases and lie has had all of the prominent 
attorneys of this part of tiie Stale appear before 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPJIICAL ALBUM. 



231 



him. Not one of his decisions has ever been re- 
versed hy ii superior court, and hundreds of neigh- 
borly disputes have been settled by hiin without 
trial, upon a mere statement of the case li\- tlio 
party, and he is noted for his discreet and judi- 
cious rulings in court, lie is now serving his 
fourth term as Notary I'ulilic liut is gradually 
dropping out of that branch of work. 

Mr. Page has never been an active politician 
although he has frequently been sent as a delegate 
to important conventions. He was at first in al- 
liance with the Democratic party, bijt since the 
organization of the Republican party he has stood 
with that body. Ilis father died September 1, 
1867. The wife of our sid)ject whose maiden 
name was Ann Brown, was born in his native town, 
April 13, 1814, and died November 28, 1889, hav- 
ing been a devout member of the Baptist Church 
since 183.5. 

The children who have been granted to our sub- 
ject are: William B. (deceased in infancy), Sara 
Ward, James Bond,William Benjamin,. lames Bond, 
(2nd), Mary Matilda, (ieorge Christmas, and Jabez 
Bunn. Sara Ward was the widow of Caleb Andrews, 
who was a fanner in lugh.'im County but died at 
Dexter in 1890. Mrs. Andrews is living with her 
father and her two children — George P. and Lula re- 
side in Ingham County. The second son died in 
infancy, and William Benjamin who was a soldier in 
the War of the Rebellion died in the hospital at 
Murfree.slioro, Tenn., August 13, 1862. Me was a 
member of Company I). Ninth Michigan Infantry, 
in which he enlisted October 11, 1861. He was 
buried in Tennessee at the age of twenty years. 
James Bond Page lives in Guide Rock, Neb., and 
George Christmas in Lima Township. Jabez Bunn 
was killed when only three years old by an acci- 
dent upon the farm, and Mary Matilda, who be- 
came the wife of J. B. Lamphere, of Webster 
Township, died ilarcli 16. 1883. when thirty-eight 
years old. 

A fuller sketch of the life history of the eldest 
daughter of this family will be of interest to our 
readers. Sarah Ward Page was born June 10, 1836. 
and was married to Caleb Andrews October 6. 
18.t7. Her husband was born in Yarmouth. N. S. 
and came to Washtenaw County about the year 



1852, whence he removed to Ingham County in 
1872, where he had a farm six miles east of Mason. 
Mrs. Andrews came home to reside with her father 
before licr mother's death, as her husband had died 
from an attack of la grippe. Her son (Jeorge car- 
ries on the old farm in Ingham County, and the 
daughter Lula is the wife of Miles Warfle, a mer- 
chant of Dansville. Mr. Andrews was engaged in 
an extensive business as a stock-dealer, raiser and 
shipper and made Buffalo his chief shipping point. 
He was also greatly interested in raising thorough- 
bred Short-horn cattle and was well-known among 
stockmen. Mr. Page has been a member of the 
church for fifty years and has served as clerk of 
that body for the same length of time. 



(^ JfclLLIAM J. MILLER, City Clerk of Ann 

\^/l ^'"'''^'"' ^^^ '^'^"'" '" *'''* ^''^.V' September 7, 
^/^ 1858. He is the eldest son "of George and 
Dorethea (Katz) Miller, both natives of Germany, 
where the father was born in Hesse-Darmstadt 
and the mother in Wurtemberg. It was in 1851 
when they emigrated to the United States, arriv- 
ing in New York City and thence proceeding at 
once to the promised land of Michigan, of which 
they had heard in the old country. Here the 
father established himself in Ann Arbor and began 
manufacturing and dealing in wood pumps, in 
which he was associated with his father. Christian 
Miller, who lived until 1889. After this George Mil- 
ler took his son William into partnership with him 
under the firm name of Miller & Son and they 
have since continued the manufacture of a super- 
ior article for which they have a large sale both in 
town and country. 

The original of this sketch was educated in the 
schools of his native city, prosecuting his studies 
in the ward schools most vigorously and upon 
abandoning his studies he entered the shop to 
assist his father and grandfather up to the death of 
the latter when as we have seen he formall\- enter- 
ed the Hrm. In IKHH Jlr. Miller was elected Aid- 



232 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



erman from the Fourlh AVard, and he served for 
tliree yenrs in that capacity, only resigning it to 
take the office of the City Clerk to which he was 
elected in 1891. In June of the same year he was 
united in marriage with ^Nliss Minnie P., daughter 
of Peter A. Tagge who was a native of New York, 
whence he had removed to Michigan. 

The gentleman whose brief life sketch we are 
here giving, is a member of Otseniugo Lodge, No. 
295 1. O. O. F., and he is also prominently identi- 
fied with the Chapter and I'atriarchs, and in this 
connection has passed all the chairs. In his politi- 
cal views he is in hearty accord with the doctrines 
an(i declarations announced by the Democratic 
party, and is a cheerful worker for the success of 
that p.arty. His residence which is at No. 31 Fifth 
Avenue is pleasantly situated, and within it ma^y 
be found true domestic happiness. 



IVILLIAM C. LATSON is a farmer resahng 
\/^i// *-'" section 24. Webster Township, lie is 
^^ a native of this county and was liorn on 
the farm where he now resides, .lanuary 26, 1.835. 
He is a son of AVilliam and Elizabeth (Luther) 
Latson, who were married September 27, 1830, in 
New York. They were both natives of Genesee 
County. Our subject's paternal grandsire was 
.lames Latson, whose father was born in Germany, 
.lames Latson died in Michigan, having made his 
home with his children during his latter years. 
Grandmother Latson was of Irish lineage and died 
in Michigan. 

Our subject's parents came to Michigan in 1830, 
and secured the tract of land from the Government 
whicli is now occupied by Edgar Cranson and in 
1831 they purchased and located <»n the farm which 
our subject now occupies, securing one hundred 
and sixty acres from the (iovernment. It was a 
tract known as the oak ojienings and heavily tim- 
bered.. They had very limited means and few 
things to work with, but built a log house and be- 
gan tiie serious business of life. In is.)9the senior 
Mr. I.Mtson left the farm and moved to Ann Arbor, 



having acquired suflicient means to live on in that 
city. Meantime he had added to his original pur- 
chase on section 24 until he was the owner of three 
hundred and twenty acres. He died ilay 7, 1871, 
at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife died May 
3, 1860. Mr. Latson was later married to Elizabeth 
Hawkins, who survived Mm about five 3ears. The 
family that came to these parents and enlivened 
their home in the pioneer days were as follows: 
Sophia D., Maria, William C, Jane A., Henry A., 
Silas. Ellen E. and Edwin. Sophia became Mrs. 
Rol)ert McCall and died in 1890; Maria married 
James McCall and died three months after her mar- 
riage, in 1865; Jane A. resides in Omaha, Neb.; 
Henry died September 9, 1867, at Grass Lake, Mich.; 
Silas is a faruH'r in Missouri; Ellen lives with her 
sister in Omaha. Neb. 

William Latson. Sr. served in many minor ottices 
of the locality. He was Justice of the Peace, and 
did efficient -work in that direction for many years. 
He was from early daj'sa Whig and later a Repub- 
lican. Our subject remained at home until of age 
and then rented the farm. He is now the owner 
of two hundred and twenty-three acres, which he 
has purchased for the most part by buying out the 
equities of the other heirs. Our subject pays espec- 
ial attention to stock-raising and has handled a 
great deal of the liner grades of cnttle and sheep. 
For many years Mr. Latson was sole agent in this 
district for the Esterly binder. 

The original of our sketch was married August 
3, 1859, at Ann Arbor to Miss Mary Jane Johnson, 
a daughter of Henry and Mary (Inman) Johnson, 
of Ann Arbor. She was born August 30. 1839, in 
Northfield Township. The following children have 
graced the home of our subject and his wife: 
Frank A., Nettie E., George Alvin, La Rue, Ada, 
Jenny, Elmer, Edwin, Anna, Lizzie and Lottie. 
Frank is in the express business at Ann Arbor; 
Nettie is a graduate of the Ann Arbor High School 
and has since been teaching and has been very 
successful in her chosen field of labor. .She has 
just finished a period of three years as preceptor of 
the school for the blind at Lansing and is now 
employed in the Tecumseli High School; George 
Alvin has lived at home until the past four years 
and is now located on a farm at Howell. All the 






%k 




TM.COOUEY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



235 



other children are at home. Jenny and Elmer are 
students in the Ann Arbor High School and the 
younger children are preparing to enter the same 
school. Mr. Latson is independent in politics, not 
binding himself to any i)arty. He takes a lively 
interest in all that pertains to national or local Gov- 
ernment but not in party politics. He and his 
wife with the members of their family are connected 
with the Congregational Church of which they are 
ardent supporters. 



ON. THOMAS M. COOLEY was born on 
the 6th of January, 1824, at Attica, N. Y. 
'^ The family was one of long New England 
residence, the first of the name in America, 
Benjamin Cooley, having come to Massachusetts 
in 1630. Mr. Cooley 's father, Thomas, was a 
farmer, born in 3Iassacliusetts, who removed to 
New Y'ork in 1804. Although not rich he was 
able to give his son a good academic education, 
wliicli was supplemented afterward by several 
terms' experience in teaching school. 

In 1844 Mr. C'ooIe3' removed to Palmyra, N. Y.. 
where he commenced the study of law in the oHice 
of Theron K. Strong, afterward Justice of the 
Supreme Court of tliat State. The next year he 
removed to Adrian, Mich., where he continued his 
law studies in the offices of Tiffany & Beaman, 
holding meantime the office of Deputy County 
Clerk and Deputy Registrar in Chancery. He was 
admitted to the bai' in January, 1846, .and in De- 
cember of the same year married Miss Mary Eliza- 
beth Horton. His practice of the law was begun 
in Tecumseh, in 1846, in partnership with Consider 
A. Stacy, and he remained there two years, return- 
ing to Adrian in 1848 to practice in tlie firm of 
Beaman and Cooley, which afterward became 
Bearaau, Beecher & Cooley. He was at that time 
a free-soil Democrat, and during the campaign of 
1848 edited the Adrian WntcJitower in the Van 
l^ui'en interest. He was also, during this time 
Circuit Court Commissioner and ^'illage Recorder, 
.and niiin.aged with bis father-in-law, David Horton, 



a large farm. In 1850 he removed to Toledo, 
where he was an unsuccessful candidate for the 
position of District Judge, and remained tliere 
nnly two years, coming back once more to Adrian 
in the year of 1852, and forming a partnersiiip 
with a former student in liis office, ."\Ir. Cros- 
well. 

In 1857 Mr. Cooley was chosen by the Legisla- 
ture to compile the General Statutes of the State, 
and his compilation has been a model for those 
made since that time. In that same year the State 
Supreme Court was re-organized, and he was 
chosen Reporter. Tliis position lie held until in 
1864 he was appointed Justice, to fill the vacancy 
caused by the death of Judge iVIaiiniug. Mean- 
time, in 1859, he had removed to Ann Arbor in 
order to fill a Chair as professor in tlie newly estal)- 
lished Law Department of the University of Mich- 
igan, which Chair, known as the Jay Professorship 
he held for twenty-five years. His lectures in the 
University were limited to legal and constitutional 
subjects until his resignation of the Professorship 
of Law, but on the appointment of C. H. Adams to 
the Presidency of Cornell University lie consented 
to accept temporarily the Professorship of History, 
and gave lectures as such for one college year, and 
also for several years thereafter on various topics 
in Political Science. A lecture on "The Federal 
Supreme Court, and Its Place in the American 
Constitutional System," which T,as the first of a 
series of lectures by eminent speakers and writers 
delivered in the University, w.as published by 
G. P. Putnam's sons with the others in a volume 
entitled "The Constitutional Historj'of the United 
States as Seen in tlic Development of American 
Laws. ' ' 

Soon after Judge C'ooley's appointment to the 
bench was begun the publication of a series of 
books on legal subjects, which were produced rap- 
idly during the next twelve years. His first work 
was a digest, the first in this State, of the decisions 
of the Supreme Court, which was followed, in 
1868, by what is probably his best known work, 
the treatise on "The Constitutional Limitations 
Upon Legislative Power," which has gone through 
six editions and has given him a very high rank 
among American legal writers. This was followed 



236 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



in 1872 bv au edition of Blackstone's Commen- 
taries, and in 1874 l\v one of Story on the Con- 
stitution. In 1877 be pulilislied a volume on the 
"Law of Taxation, ■■ and in 1870 another on 
'•Torts." He has also pulilislied a short summary 
of constitutional law, and a hist^)ry of ^Michigan 
wliich was written in 1884 for llie series of 
'•American Commonwealtlis," edited by Horace E. 
Seudder, and as the associate editor of Appleton's 
Encycloi)8edia he wrote tlie law articles for the last 
edition of that work. He has been a prolific writer 
for the reviews and magazines of tlie day, and has 
written some notable articles. Some years Ijefore 
the Presidential campaign of 1884 lie liad published 
in a law journal of St. Louis a paper on "The Re- 
sponsibility of Public Officers,", beginning witli 
tlie phrase •'A pulilic oltice is a public trust" — a 
phrase of wliich Col. Lamont made such vigorous 
use in the campaign referred to as to be credited 
by many with its authorship. His papers were foi' 
the most part on govermental subjects, but some- 
times on those of .in historical nature, and in 1889 
he wrote an elaborate introduction to an illustrated 
work on "The American Railway," in which rail- 
ways and the principles controlling them, as well 
as the law for their regulation, were discussed. 
"When Prof. Bryce entered upon the pi-eparation of 
his great work on the Amei-ican Commonwealth he 
put himself in communication with .ludge Cooley, 
and the notes that appear in the completed work 
show that the reliance placed upon liis o])inions 
was very considerable throughout. 

Judge Cooley has also frequently been an orator 
on public occasions, particularly those on which 
the members of the legal ijssociations were asseiji- 
bled, and he has addressed at different times the 
State Bar Associations of South Carolina, (Tcorgia 
and New York. On the organization of the Johns 
Hopkins University he was invited to deliver 
lectures on Continental l>aw and Municipal Gov- 
ernment to special classes, and did so for three 
years, and when, in 1889, there w-as an assemblage 
at that l^iiiversitv to commemorate the adoption 
of the Constitution of Japan, he was invited to 
preside, and delivered a short address. He gave 
also, by special invitation, a course of lectures in 
the year 189(i. to the law class of Yale Colleuo, on 



Inter-State Commerce, which lectures were repeated 
in the University of Michigan. 

Judge Cooley 's connection with the Supreme 
Court of Michigan lasted until 188.5, when liy an 
unfortunate comliination of circumstances he was 
defeated in his cMiididacy for re-election; and dur- 
ing that period he did much, in conjunction with 
colleagues of unusual judicial ability, to give the 
court an enviable reputation throughout the 
I'nited States for the soundness and clearness of 
its decisions. He wrote the opinions in many of 
the most important cases, and these opinions, log- 
ical and well expressed, have given many valuable 
lirecedents for future decisions in his own and 
other States. 

The Judge's attention was first directed to the 
line of work to which his latter yeare have been 
given up, in January, 1882, when he was asked fjy 
the jiresidents of the Baltimore & Ohio, the Penn- 
sylvania, the I^rie and the New York Central 
Railroads to serve on a board of arliitration which 
was to settle the question of "the difference in 
rates that should exist both eastwardly and west- 
wardly iqion all cl.asses of freights between the 
several terminal .Atlantic ports." The roads named, 
after many unsuccessful trials and disastrous rate 
wars, had finally settled upon a system apparently 
discriminating against New York and Boston, and 
in favor of Philadelphia and Baltimore, and it was 
to settle this charge of discrimination that the board 
was called upon. The other members were Senator 
Tiiurman and ex-Minister AVashbiu-ne, and after 
meeting and bearing arguments in New York, 
Philadelphia and Baltimore the commissioners at 
length decided that it was not clear that the pres- 
ent system was inequitable. This was .Judge Cool- 
ey 's first experience in dealing with the perplexing 
problems of railway management, but he showed 
here such distinguished ability that when, in 
1886, Judge (Tresham found it necessary to appoint 
a new receiver for that portion of the Wabasli 
Railway within his jurisdiction, he aiipoiuted 
Judge Cooley unhesitatingly and of his own mo- 
tion. The problem jiresented was one of great 
difliculty, involving, as it did, the operation of a 
long and comi)licated system, both ends of which 
were under hostile management. The duty was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



237 



discharged, however, with conspicuous success so 
long as it was in liis hands. Witliin three niontiis 
lie had tlic system in profitable operation, and 
when Ik- l.iid down the receivership as ahriii)tly as 
ho had taken it. he liad a l)ody of subordinates 
who were al>le and effective and attached to him- 
self. But his nK)St conspicuous service in railway 
matters was yet to come. The abuses in railroad 
trattic and management had gone so far as to merit 
the attention of Congress, and to bring forth, as 
the result of a thorougli investigation by a Senate 
committee, the Iiill known .as the Inter-State Com- 
merce Law. This bill establislied a commission of 
five memljers, known as the Intei'-State Commerce 
Commission, whicli w.as to act as a court to oversee 
the execution of tlie rules and regulations for rail- 
w!iy tr.afiic laid down in the bill. The Commission, 
it w.<is evident, would have great power, and it was 
of the highest importance tliat good nien be elected 
at the start to establish sound precedents in the 
interpretation of the law. .fudge Cooler was 
xu'geutly requested by President Cleveland to ac- 
cept a position on the Commission for the longest 
term, six years, and having done so was cliosen 
Chairman. Since then all of his time tliat he.alth 
has permitted lias been given to the business of 
the Commission, and his experience and reputation 
have gone far to make the decisions of the Com- 
mis.sion respected and otieyed, and to establish it 
on a firm and Lasting basis, witli a lx)dy of sound 
and equitible precedent to govern and to guide 
the future administration of the law. 



' 'i 01;"' — 



•^^• 



^^> 



LFRED EI>LIS PHELPS. We are pleased 
(LJI to present a son of Norman A. Phelps, of 
whom our readers have read ujion another 
^J page of this volume. This gentleman, 
who lias now retired from active business, was 
born on the old liomestead January 4, 1843, and is 
tlie fourth in order of age in his father's family. 
lit was reared upon the farm and has followed 
agriculture tlirough life except for the time when 
he served •• I'lide Sam '" diuiui;- the War of the 



Rebellion. It was in 1862 that young Phelps 
enlisted in Company D, Twentieth Regiment, 
Michigan Infantry, taking service at Ann Arbor 
under Capt. Grant. His regiment was assigned to 
the Army of tlie Potomac, and he was in the battle 
of Frederickslnu-g, after wliich he was in the lios- 
pital for some months as he had a severe attack of 
inflammation of the lungs. As it w.as believed 
that he was seriously incapacitated for further mil- 
itary service, his father went to him and securing 
his discharge lirought him home on a stretcher. 

Having recovered his health Alfred Phelps re- 
sumed agricultural pursuits and in 1864 estab- 
lished a home of his own. bringing home a wife on 
the 23d of November. Ilis wife was Laverna, 
daughter of Samuel .and Polly (Ann) Hicks. Her 
mother was a sister of B. W. Waite, Sr., and she 
was an only child. Mrs. Waite died when Lav- 
erna was but three years old and her father, who 
afterward married Delilah Pettybone of Ann Arbor, 
died when the child had barely reached her seventh 
year. Samuel Hicks was from Dunkirk, N. Y., 
and w.as a brother of INIrs. B. AV. AV'aite. Sr., and 
the two families migrated to .Michigan at the sjime 
time. 

Mr. Phelps still owns his father's old home- 
stead which he secured from the Government and 
the projierty now consists of one hundred and 
twenty acres, part of the old property being now 
in the hands of his brother Thomas. Our subject 
paid much attention in his farming days to the 
breeding of Short-horn cattle and in tliis line con- 
ducted a Large business and frequently exhibited 
at fairs. He al.so carried on a lively trade in road- 
sters l)ut now lives a retired life as he removed 
from the farm to Dexter in March, 1889. 

The father of Mr. Phelps settled two miles south 
of the village of Dexter and lived there for thirty- 
three years, then he removed to Dexter where he 
lived until deatli called him to a higher sjihere. 
Our subject takes an intelligent interest in public 
affairs and votes the Republican ticket, but is in no 
sen.se a ])oliticiau. He is an .active member of the 
order of the Grand Army of the Republic and is 
intensely interested in the reunions with his com- 
rades. Mrs. Phelps is a faithful member of the 
.Methodist Episcopal Church and is now the only 



238 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGEAPHICAL ALBUM. 



representative here of her father's family. The 
old farm belonging to our subject is one of tlie 
finest in the county and forty-five years of Mr. 
Phelps' life was passed u|)on it. 



ROF. AUSTIN GEORGE is the Director of 
the Training Department of the Michigan 
State Normal School. He has been in this 
department for ten years past and prior to 
assuming that position was at the head of the Lit- 
erary Department for two years. Prof. Geoj'ge 
was born in Litchfield, Mich., June 15, 1841, and 
is a sou of Austin and Roxana (Smith) George, 
both natives of New England, the father having 
been born about 1803. The George family trace 
))ack their ancestry to early Colonial daj's and our 
subject's mother is one cf the celebrated familj' of 
Sraitlis of New Hampshire. Miss Roxana Smith 
was born at West Wilton, in 1806. She and her 
liusljand were married in the East and after Ijecom- 
ing the parents of four children, came to Hillsdale 
t'ounty in 1837. Here the father located a tract 
of Government land and clearing up the place 
built a large house, which served as a home until 
our sul)ject was seven years old, when the family 
moved to Jaci^son, where the senior Mr. George 
engaged in the boot and shoe trade. 

About two years after he had removed his fam- 
ily to Jackson, the father died and shortly after, 
the mother with her family of children moved to 
Jonesville, where our subject received his early 
education. At the age of twelve years lie lost his 
right arm by an accident in a flouring-mill. After 
the marriage of the children the mother came to 
Ypsilanti and divided her time between this city, 
Chicago and Kalamazoo; her decease occurred in 
Ypsilanti in 1880, and she w.as interred at Jones- 
ville. 

At the age of sixteen the original of our .sketch 
went to Detroit and entered the Commercial Col- 
lege from which he graduated in 18,58. In October, 
18.i9, he entered the State Normal School of Ypsi- 
lanti and t^raduatcd in 1863. He at once be^an to 



teach at Kalamazoo, taking a position as Principal 
of the High School. AVhile carrying on his work 
as a teacher he pursued a course of study in Kala- 
mazoo College, and in 1866 was awarded the de- 
gree of Bachelor of Arts. For six 3^ears he was in 
the life insurance business in .St. Louis and Chicago. 
L.iter he occupied the Chair of Rhetoric and Liter- 
ature in Kalamazoo College for one year, and then 
was .Superintendent of Schools in the city of Kala- 
mazoo from 1872 to 1879, at which latter diite he 
w:is appointed to the Ciiair of English in the Stiite 
Normal School at Ypsilanti. This he held for two 
years when he was appointed to his present Chair. 
In 1862, while still a student, Prof. George was 
largely- instrumental in raising a company among 
the students of the Normal School, known as Com- 
pany E, Seventeenth IMichigan Infantr\'^the cele- 
brated Stonewall Regiment. Although debarred 
by the loss of his arm from regular enlistment, he 
went with the company to the front and served 
four months, sharing the dangers and hardships of 
army life and participating in the famous battle of 
South Mountain. 

Hav^ing given his constant attention to educa- 
tional work, making it a study from many stand- 
points, it has become to him both a science and an 
art and he is well qualified to instruct others in 
superior methods in pedagogy. This is his duty at 
the present time, he having charge of this work 
with the senior classes of the Normal School. Prof. 
George is abl3' seconded in his efforts by four ex- 
perienced teachers and these demonstrate before the 
prospective teaciiers theories and system in teach- 
ing. He has acquiretl a wide reputation as an ed- 
ucator of advanced ideas and whose methods are 
very nearly approaching the natural methods of 
acquiring knowledge, robbing what has hitherto 
been irksome confinement to text books of its 
dullness and infusing new life into the art by stim- 
ulating every faculty. 

Outside of his scholastic work our subject is in- 
terested in real estate for himself and now has a 
valuable property in the city, which he holds both 
for rent and for sale. In connection with his legit- 
imate work. Prof. (Tcorge has lieeu prominent in 
the State Teachers' Association, of whicli he has 
been President, and in the City and Superintend- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



239 



ents' Association. He has always taken an active 
part in this work and is one of tlie most popular 
and favorite instructors in county institutes. 

Our subject was married to Miss Sarah Wadhams, 
of Ival.-uiiazoo, December 24, 1868. Mrs. George is 
a daugliter of Charles D. Wadhams .iiid is an in- 
telligent and accomplished lady. This interesting 
couple have six children, there being three sons 
and three da\ighters. They are by name, Ransom 
(!., who is a student in the University of Michigan 
and a graduate of the Normal School; Grace, Hat- 
tie L., Austin, Jr., May and Ralph W. Mr. and 
Mrs. George are members of the Unitarian Church, 
but are afliliated with the Congregational Cliurch 
of Ypsilanti. Our subject was a member of the 
City Council for two years, during the construction 
of the water works and during that time was 
Chairman of the "Ways and IMeans Committee and 
also of tlie Electric Light Committee during the 
construction of the plant. He is now a member of 
the Board of Public AVorks, and favors all reason- 
able public improvements. He has devoted much 
time and study to securing water works and a 
perfect and sanitary system of sewerage for the 
city. While a professional teacher, he believes that 
a teacher should be first of all a' citizen and take 
an active part in the political, social and business 
activities of the community. Prof. George is a 
broad man in everv sense of the word. 



i>-^^<m 



1 DWARD DE PUY. The gentlemanly and 
able Supervisor of Saline Township is, as he 
should be, a representative of the agricul- 
tural interests and business, and a resident on sec- 
tion 12, Saline Township. He was born in Seneca 
County, in the town of Wosco, N. Y., December 
25, 1844, and was reared a farmer. As a lad he at- 
tended the district .school and received a practical 
education. His advent into Michigan was made in 
1853 when his parents located in Macon Township, 
Lenawee County. His father, Samuel De Puy, here 
lived until 1888, when his decease occurred at the 
age of sixtv-two vears. While a resident of New 



York he belonged to the State Militia, and was a 
man who was enthusiastically interested in polit- 
ical and social affairs. In his church relations he 
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal body for 
several years. As a farmer he was very successful 
and left a large fortune. Our subject's paternal 
grandsire was Benjamin Dc I'liy, who carried on 
farming in Seneca County. N. V. The De Puy fam- 
ily are of French ancestry. Our sul)ject's mother 
was in her maiden days a Miss Ann Bingham, and 
was ])orn in New York; she died in 1889, and like 
her husband was a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. Of the six children born to this 
worthy couple, five are now living. 

Our subject is next to the youngest of his moth- 
er's family. He was reared on a farm, and after 
coming to Michigan, attended Tecumseh High 
School, and also the State Normal at Ypsilanti, and 
afterward graduated in the Academic Department 
of the Union school at Tecumseh. On first begin- 
ning his career he was engaged in teaching, and 
thus continued for several years, being but eighteen 
years of age at the time he first assumed control of 
the schoolroom. 

Mr. De Puy left the bachelor ranks in 1867, his 
marriage being celebrated October 1, and his bride 
being Miss Mabel Lowe, who was born in Ridge- 
way Township, Lenawee County, this State, in 
1849. She is a daughter of Justice and Mary (Lam- 
berson) Lowe, natives of New York, who came to 
Michigan in 1828, and were among the first set- 
tlers in Lenawee County. Both parents still sur- 
vive. Mr. Lowe has been a farmer all his life. 
After marriage our subject went to Frankfort, Ben- 
zie County, and was there engaged in business for 
two 3^ears. In 1869 he purchased a farm in this 
township on section 34, and here he lived twelve 
years, at the expiration of which time he sold the 
farm and purchased his present place which is lo- 
cated on section 1 2. Our subject here h.as a beau- 
tiful home in which have grown up his children. 
They are Webb E., Burnell A. and M. Jay, .all of 
whom are bright and intelligent young people. 
One daughter, Salvia, is deceased. 

Mr. De Puj' is the exponent of the leading politi- 
cal sentiment in this township, a firm and ardent 
Democrat, who is in the van as regards the politi- 



240 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAI'HICAL ALBUM. 



eal news of llic day. and tin- .state of the (iovern- 
nient as affected liy newly adopted nieasiires. lie 
has heen a favorite delegate to distiiet and eounty 
conventions, llis election as Supervisor of Saline 
Township took place in 18HC since which time he 
has successively heen re-elected. Our subject owns 
one hiiiidieil and fifty-five acres of land on the 
.Monroe l\oad. one and n iialf miles from Saline. 
This is a finely developed ))lace which bears out its 
owner's ideas as to theoretical and practical farm- 
ing. He here raises all kinds of stock, and although 
he started out with little or nothing, he isnowpos- 
ses.sed of a fine income and a valuable property. 




/ ♦^^ 



ENECA A. DIRAND. This well-known 
business man and Fourth Ward Alderman 
is one of the oldest Knights of the (xrip 
in Michigan, having been on the road since 
1H71. He represents the firm of Ward L. Aiidrus 
6[ Co.. of Detroit, in which company he is a part- 
ner, and for which he travels, introducing then- 
fine wholesale stock of fancy grocei'ies, canned 
goods and fruits. 

This gentleman was born in Pennsylvania, near 
Fishing Creek, York County, upon the 12th of 
November, 1832. His father, Samuel W. Durand, 
was born near Burlington, Yt., of French parent- 
age, and first saw the light in 1806. He took up 
his trade of masonry when quite young, and after 
his removal to Pennsylvania he became Superin- 
tendent of masonry in that State, and inspected 
the mason work of the first railroad constructed 
in that State. 

After removing to Geauga County, Ohio, the 
father engaged in merchandise, and later in the 
business of a drover, and became prominent in po- 
litical movements, being the first Democratic mem- 
ber of the Legislature sent to Columbus from the 
Western Reserve, and he: was also active in edu- 
cational matters. About the year 1853 he went 
to Iowa, where he had large dealings in land in 
Benton Countv. and made his home there until his 



death at I'.cllc Plaine, .M;iy -/.'i. Is72. He was a 
I niversalist in his religious views. 

The niotlicr of our sul)jcct bore the maiden 
name of Catherine ( )i('ii. and she was l)orn .luly 
9, l^<(l^i, ill York County. Pa., being a daughter of 
Jesse Oreii. a farmer. Her death occurred Sep- 
temlier l^. iH3G. and her husband married for his 
second wife Margaret Oren, who now resides in 
Marshalltown, Iowa. By the first wife there were 
four children, three of whom grew to maturity 
.and two are still living, and of the second family 
of six children only one survives. 

He of whom we write removed early from Penn- 
sylvania to Ohio, where he attended the district 
school at Parkman, and at the .age of fourteen 
years began clerking. During tlie first year he 
received only his board, but finally worked him- 
self up until he earned during the third year $150 
besides his ))oard. He continued clerking there 
for various parties, but finallj- went in this capac- 
ity to Garretsville, Ohio, but returned to Park- 
man, where he bought and operated for a short 
time a drug l)usiness. After this he removed to 
Welton, Iowa, and engaged in breaking prairie in 
Clinton County with six yokes of oxen. 

Deciding to return East, he located in West- 
field. Chautauqua County, N. Y., where he was a 
clerk in a grocery store from .January until Au- 
gust, 1856, after which he entered into the gro- 
cery business on his own account until the latter 
part of 1861, when he went to New York City and 
engaged in selling goods. 

It wiis 11 A. M. on New Year's Day. 1862, that 
Mr. Durand first entered Ypsilanti, and here he 
engaged in the grocery business in the Hewell 
Block until 1864, when he went on the road for 
a .short time, but in 1866 he formed a partnership 
with Mr. Stebbins in the grocery business. This 
lasted until 1870, when the partnership was dis- 
solved and he again went on the road, represent- 
ing H. C. Barker & Co., and afterward D. D. Mal- 
lory i\: Co. In May, 1890, he entered into part- 
nership with Ward Ij. Andrus, the other partners 
being C. W. Bruce and L. V. Oviatt, who handled 
fancy groceries and fruits at Nos. 88, 90 and 92 
Jefferson Avenue. He is the traveling man of 
the firm, and for awhile j(nuneyed in Pennsyl- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



241 



vania and New York, but his route is now on the 
main line of tlie ^Michigan C'ential nnd tlir Lake 
Sliore S.' Miclijoan Soiilhcrii Kailroad.s. 

Mr. I)uran(l's inaiiinuv willi Mij^s ilclou R. 
IMielpw took place in Wcstliold, X. Y.. the place of 
lier nativity. Tlioir two cliildren are I). A., now 
a ticket agent of tlic Michigan Central Railroad 
at Yi)silanti, and Clara R.. now Mrs. Prof. Shep- 
herd, of Brookings, S. Dak. Her husband is the 
Profe.ssor of Chemistry in the Agricultural Col- 
lege there, .and Alls the office of United States 
Chemist, being considered one of the finest chem- 
ists in the country. It is now the seventh year 
since Mr. Durand was elected Alderman of the 
Fourtli Ward, and he has been a member of vari- 
ous committees, and Cliairman of some important 
ones. He is a member of the order of Knights of 
Honor and in his political views is attached to the 
Democratic party. 



ji^LEMMING CARROW, i\l. D. Although 
J^fc); still in the dawn of the success which has 
lis attended his efforts in a professional way 
our subject has already given abundant evidence 
of the ability which (jualifies him for a high place 
in the medical profession. Truly ambitious and 
with an ambition wliose aim is piu-e and unsullied, 
there seems no reason why his unquestioned ability 
should not find full scope in relieving tlie pains 
which a sutTering world is heir to. Flemming Car- 
row was born in Kent County, Md., August 14, 
1852. His father, Joseph M., was a native of Del- 
aware, to which State his great-grandfather had 
emigrated from Pembrokeshire, England. Our 
subject's mother, Henrietta (Ilepbron) Carrow, was 
born in Maryland, her father, James Hepbron, 
came from Scotland, and Dr. Carrow thus has run- 
ning in his veins tiiat happy mixture of Scotch and 
English blood which seems to lie productive of 
some of the rarest qualities demanded by our mod- 
ern civilization. 

Our subject's father being a farmer the son had 
not at liome sufficient educational advantages to 



prepare him^for college, hence he was sent away to 
school when twelve years of age to take a prepara- 
tory course. At the age of sixteen he 'entered 
Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport,Pa., and tliere 
remained for three years, soon afterward becoming 
a student at the National Medical College in Wash- 
ington, from which he was graduated at the end of 
two years. Then followed^ a visit to Europe, dur- 
ing which he spent two years in continuation of his 
medical studies at Berlin. On his return home he 
was at once sent to Canton, China, in charge of a 
native hospital at that place. Here he remained 
for more than six years, gaining invaluable expe- 
rience. 

As a medical officer of the (iovernment Dr. Car- 
row had an oversigiit of both French and English 
revenue service and during the last years of his 
residence in connection with his other duties rep- 
resented the United States Government as Consul 
under President Garfield. His wife's health fail- 
ing he resigned his post and returned to tlie 
United States, through which he traveled for 
some time, partly for pleasure and partly in 
search of a suitable place in which to make 
his home. In 1884 he made his residence in 
Bay City. Going there a stranger to all its 
people, even without an introduction to his medi- 
cal bretiiren, he began the practice of his jirofession, 
devoting himself especially to surgery of the eye 
and ear. In a very short time he had gained the 
confidence of the best citizens of the community 
and won the regard of the members of his own 
profession. By the latter he was chosen President 
of the Bay County Medical Society and successfully 
healed the differences that existed in that body 
and helped to place it among the best meilical so- 
cieties of the State. 

While accomplishing the above described benefi- 
cent work, our subject's practice had become lu- 
crative and his growing reputation attracted the 
attention of tlie regents of the University of Mich- 
gan and by tiiem he was appointed, in 1889, Pro- 
fessor of Ophthalmic and Aural Surgery and Clin- 
ical Ophthalmology in the Medical Department of 
that famous institution. 

Dr. Carrow is a Republican in his politics and 
in religion an Episcopalian. He is likewise a mem- 



242 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ber of the Masonic order and has attained the de- 
gree of Knight Templar. He was married October 
24, 1875, to Miss Teresa England, a daughter of 
Lindley M. England, of AVilinington, Del. They 
iiave had one child, Herbert P. The position al- 
ready attained by Dr. Carrow is a direct result of 
natural talents and acquirements. Personally he 
IS a man of i)leasing countenance, of medium 
height, robust in frame and of erect carriage. He 
has a genial and friendly manner. His professional 
bretliren in liay City quickly recognized his rare 
ability in his special department and accorded him 
a cordial support. On departing from Bay City u 
banquet was tendered him by its physicians and it 
was attended by many representative men froni 
other parts of the State. In response to a toast 
the expressions of regard for him as a man and a 
citizen and the appreciative testimonies to his ex- 
cellence as a skilled surgeon together with a senti- 
ment of regret at his departure, were the surest 
possible evidences of the high esteem in which he 
is held and of the irreproachable purity of his 
character. In his new and honored position Dr. 
Carrow is sure to secure new laurels for himself and 
to confer distinction upon theinstilntion of which 
he now becomes an important factor. 



"JKOH^; H. WADE. Among the representa- 
tive farmers of Lima Township we are 
pleased to present a sketch of the gentleman 
whose name appears at tlie head of this par- 
agraph, and whose pleasant home and excellent farm 
are to be found on section 28. His fatjier, Michael 
Wade, was born in Dublin, Ireland, and was a poor 
bo}' when he came to America. His marriage 
took place on Staten Island, his wife being in her 
maidenliood Mary McXenauy, a native of that 
island. To them were born three sons and two 
daughters. 

Michael Wade came to Michigan in 1838, and 
settled in Saline Township on a farm of eighty 
acres, but finally removed to Sharon Township, 
wlierc he first l)0ua:ht eighty acres of land and in 



time- owned some four hundred acres, a part of 
which he has given to his children. but slill has re- 
maining some two hundred acres. He placed a 
tenant upon his farm and removed to Manches- 
ter, where lie jjurchased a residence at a cost of 
^2.,')00, and here lie and his wife lived for three 
yeai-s. In 1889 she died, and he then sold this 
property and now resides with his son .lohn. ha^■- 
ing i-eached the age of seventy-eight, when he 
thinks best to be retired from .active life. He is a 
Democrat in jiolitics and a member of the Roman 
Catholic Church, as was his wife. 

John H. Wade wa.s born July 31, 1840. in Sji- 
line Township, this county, and his home has ever 
been witliin its bounds. He remained beneath the 
parental roof until he reached tlie age of twenty- 
two, when he established a home of his own with 
his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Welsh. 
She is a native of Ireland, and with her husband 
is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. To 
her have been born six children, one of whom died 
in early infancy, and those who are still living are 
William, Agnes. Libby, John and Ella. The eldest 
son has growai to manhood and is now living in 
Minneapolis, as is also Agnes, and the others are 
still with the parents. 

In 1862 Mr. Wade purchased one hundred and 
twentv acres of land, which he still owns, and to 
which he has added fourteen acres. He has cleared 
the timber from thirty acres and has erected an 
excellent house. Like his father, he is a Demo- 
crat in his political affiliations and h.as been a Jus- 
tice of the Peace for four years and Township 
Treasurer for two years, and is also a member of 
the Board of Review. 



-2^1 NDREW J. WARREN. The .able editor 
(@//Jii and proprietor of the Saline Observer, 
* which is a spicy sheet published in the gen- 
eral interests of the locality, was born in 
York, Mich,, January 7, 1856. His father, Aaron 
Warren, born January 2, 1802, in Eaton, Madison 



^ 



ni 



% 





1 (Xh./7jy?^CA.du>-^/C' 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAl'llICAL ALP.UM. 



245 



County, N. Y., eamt" to til i^ Stalo .Imu- l.s. 183C. 
He was a farnuT liy calling, and located in York 
Township, this county, where lie died April 12, 
1H()(), at the a.iie of fifty-eight yeais. Our subject "s 
mother was, prior to her marriage, a Miss Mary A. 
Hart, horn in Newton, Sussex County, N. J., June 
12, l«2r). She removed to Hamilton, Canada, and 
after a residence of two years, moved to York. 
Mich., and in 1870 removed to the village of Saline 
whei-e she at present resides. 

Our suliject was born and reared on a farm just 
south of Saline, and there grew up to sturdy, 
healtliful boyhood. He was sent to the distiict 
school, and afterward attended the High Seh<.K>l in 
Saline. In 1876, at the age of twenty, he started 
out in business for himselt and catered to the gen- 
eral demands of the people in furnishing staple and 
fancy groceries. He continued in this for four 
years, at the end of which time he sold out and 
took his position as clerk in a dry-goods store of 
C. Parsons, and there remained for two years. He 
next clerked, for Nichols Bros., proprietors of a 
drug store, and remained with them for five j-ears, 
and then became engaged in the agricultural busi- 
ness which he followed four years, at the end of 
which time he purchased an interest in the Obserrer 
with a Mr. Nissly, entering into the partnership in 
1881), and in 1890 he purchased his partner's inter- 
est, and has since been sole proprietor of the paper. 
The Obserrer is a six-column quarto, and is neutral 
on questions of politics, being devoted rather to 
the interests of agriculture and general trade. 

In 1876 our subject took unto liiinself a wife, 
his bride being Miss Edith L. Parsons, a daughter 
of Cornelius and ^lary (Rouse) Parsons. She was 
born in Saline, and is one of the products of this 
locality of which the town is [iroud. being a lady 
of great refinement and natural attainments be- 
sides attractive in person and manners. Our sub- 
ject is a Democrat in his political likings, but tell 
it not ill (Jath nor whisper it in Askalon, for the 
organ which he edits li.as no politics, and so, like 
the t^ueen. can do no wrong. He li.as however, 
received party preferment, having been Treasurer 
and Clerk of .Saline, and devoting two years to 
each of these otlices. He belongs to the Masonic 
fraternity, being a member of the Saline Lodge, 



No. 133. For the past two years he has served in 

the capacity of Master. Both he and his wife arc 
workers in the Baptist Church, and are iniieli in- 
terested in the .spread of the (iospcl. 



,^N HARLES TREADWELI.. This honored rep- 
■ 11 resell tative of one of the best old Eastern 

A^< families, whose [lortrait appears on the 
.accompanying page, was born in Dutchess County, 
N. ■\'., September l!l. 1812. His father. Benjamin, 
was also a native ol the same eounty, while his 
grandfather, Edward, was born in Westchester 
County. Samuel Treadwell, the great-grandfather 
and his wife, Hannah Sands, were married June 20, 
1750. They were both natives of New York. The 
family is of English origin, first represented in this 
country l\v two brothers who came here generations 
ago and settled in Ipswich, Jlass. They were 
Thomas, who came to this country in 1635, and 
Edward in 1636. 

The mother of our subject was known in her 
maidenhood as Mary Ililliker, and was born in 
Dutche-ss County. February 15, 1790. Benjamin 
Treadwell was born August 18, 1785, and they 
were married about the year 1807. Both died In 
1867, Benjamin upcm Januaiy 13, and Mary upon 
the20tli of August, having enjoyed Si.vty years of 
harmonious wedded life. 

Our subject removed with his parents to Orange 
County when he was two and one-half years old, 
and at the age of ten made his home in Cayuga 
County, which became the permanent residence of 
the family. Here he learned the tanner's trade 
and also undertook farming. His brothers and 
sisters were Jane Ann, Rachel, Nancy, Edward, 
Letitia, ilary, and John M. Of this good sized 
family onl}' Charles, Edward, Letitia and John are 
living and the latter is a resident of Clinton 
County, Mich. 

Charles Treadwell remained at home until he 
reached his majority and learned the shoemaker's 
trade, assisting his father in the tannery and run- 
ning a tannery for himself at Union Springs, 



246 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Cayuga County. He engaged in a general businesis 
in the manufacture of boot* and slioes for somu 
years, and indeed until lie came to Michigan in 
1H5-1. Here lie bought a farm wliich is the prop- 
erty upon which he now resides and which had 
been settled by Ebcnezcr West about tlie year 1834. 
The estate, which adjoins the city of Ann Arbor, 
has been improved under his careful supervision, 
and is one of the finest farms in the community. In 
1876 he went to Atchison County, Mo., wiiere he 
had secured land in 1872, and there he remained 
for a short time in order to dispose of his property. 
Tlie marriage of our subject to Betsey A. Ma- 
comber, of Cayuga County, X. Y., occurred May .31, 
1836. Her birtii had taken place May 22, 1814, and 
her parents were Zebadee and Rebecca (.lohuson) 
Macomber. Mrs. Treadwell isa woman of unusual 
al)ility in the line of business, and is the mother of 
the following children: Norman M., deceased; 
Charles Emery. Elijah. Jane, and Mary, deceased. 
Charles is a carpenter in Denver, Colo.; Elijah 
makes his home in Saginaw, and is a Civil Engineer 
on the Pere Marquette Railroad; Jane is now Mrs. 
John D. Hai'rell. In early life Mr. Treadwell was 
a prominent and pronounced Abolitionist and 
early came into the Rej^ublican party. He was 
reared in the society of Friends and is an earnest 
believer in Christianity. He takes little part in 
public affairs, having resolved in early life never 
to be a politician ; liut he enjoys greatly his l)eauti- 
ful home which is situated upon a commanding 
eminence in tlie outskirts of Ann Arbor. Mr. 
TreadM'ell introduced in Michigan a noted wheal 
which is known as the Trendwcll wheat. 



\Tf^,EV. HORACE M. GALLUP. For more than 
lis^' one-third of a century the name of Mi'. 
<^ *, Gallup has been inseparably linked with the 
' religious history of Michigan, whose annals 
bear testimony to the integrity of his character and 
the brilliancy of his intellect. In February, 1858, 
he wasordained as a minister of the Baptist Church, 
and as minister, citizen and friend, has exerted an 



influence for good in every conimunitj' in which 
he has resided. His native place was in Erie 
County, N. Y., and the date of his birth November 
8, 1826. His paternal grandfather, who bore the 
given name of Nathaniel, was a pioneer settler of 
Erie County, settling there in 1808, when the 
surrounding country was still in the primitive 
condition of nature. 

The father of our subject, Gardner J. Gallup, 
was born in 1802 in Hartwick, Otsego County, 
N. Y.,and was reared to a stalwart manhood under 
the parental roof. In 1823 he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Polly S. Crego and for twelve years 
after that important event the young couple were 
residents of Erie County. Having been told of 
the wonderful prospects in the far AYest, they were 
unsatisfied to remain longer in the East and ac- 
cordingly they determined to come to Michigan. 
In 1835 they removed to this State and located 
near Brooklyn, Jack.son County, taking up Gov- 
ernment land and making a home in the wilderness. 
They passed through this county in September, 
1835, en route to Jackson County, and at that time 
there were only a few houses in this section of 
country. Indians and wild animals roamed at will 
through the oak oi»enings, while the few settlers 
were engaged in clearing their land and erecting 
rude log cabins. 

Nor did they find the condition of Jackson 
Count}" superior to that of Washtenaw. The few 
whose rugged natures enabled them to withstand 
the hardships of frontier life, wore engaged in 
making habitations of comfort on the wild land; 
in the meantime they subsisted on such articles of 
food as could be obtained, their only meat being 
the wild animals and game which fell victims of 
the hunter's unerring aim. As the country de- 
veloped and became the abode of an ever increasing 
population, the value of land became proportion- 
ately higher and the pioneer reaped the reward of 
former years of toil. The father of our subject 
endured vicissitudes unknown to the present gen- 
eration and became prominent among the early set- 
tleis. He served as Assessor and in other local offices, 
faithfullj- discharging every duty whether oflicial 
or domestic. A consistent member of the Metho- 
dist Church, he hel])ed to establish the first churcli 



PORTRAIT AND BrOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



247 



of that denomination in his section, and his house 
was an liotel for every itineraiil preacher whom 
duty ur pleasure calkMl to lliat sjiarsely soltU'd 
ueiglihorhood. 

While in tlie prime ul' life the lather (lassed from 
earth in November, 1846, leaving a widow and 
eiglit children to mourn the loss of a loving hus- 
band and a devoted father. The mother survived 
him many years, and died in February, 1891, at the 
old iiomestead. .She had attained to the good old 
age of eighty-five years and three months. The 
following are the names of the children born to her 
and her husliand: Rev. Horace M., of this sketch; 
Lucy IL, wife of ^¥. C. Love; Nathaniel B., of 
Adriiin, this State; Diadana G., of Woodstock, 
Jackson County; Harlow, a resident of Napoleon, 
Mich.; Louisa, who is deceased; Ann, Mrs. Pratt, 
who is living on the old homestead, and Anson, 
who makes his home in Fairmount, Dak. 

Our subject received his education in the district 
schools of Jackson County and when he became of 
a suitable age began to study for the ministry, 
which he hoped to enter. He remained with his 
mother, caring for her and aiding in the support ol 
the family, until he was ready to establish domestic 
ties of his own. He chose as his wife Miss Sarah 
Turk, of Jackson County, this State, and the cere- 
mony which united their destinies was performed 
January 17, 1849. For several years afterward 
Mr. Gallup operated as a farmer, while his wife 
looked after the domestic economy of the house- 
hold. In February, 1858, he was ordained as a 
minister in the Baptist Church, and having received 
an urgent call to Grass Lake from the members of 
the Council from that place who were present at 
the ordination, he went thither and remained for 
several years, engaged in the discharge of the du- 
ties of his sacred calling. At the same time he was 
pastor of the Baptist Church at Sylvan, a neigh- 
boring village. 

In January, 1863, Mr. (Gallup was elected Chap- 
lain of the Seventeenth Michigan Infantry and was 
with them at Fredericksburg. He endured the 
hardships of bloody war with the same courage 
which had characterized his battle to subdue nature 
in a primeval tract of land. The regiment to 
which he belonged marched through Kentucky and 



over the mountains of Tennessee to Knoxville, 
where they were hemmed in during the siege and 
were compelled to live upon a scanty amount of 
brown bread. After seeing the smoke of battle at 
J.aekson, \'icksburg, and other places, the Rev. Mr. 
(4allup was discharged on accoinit of disaliility and 
I'eturned to Grass Lake. 

.\fter his return Mr. Gallup served as pastor of 
the church for about six years and increased its 
membership from thirty-eight to over two hundred. 
Its spiritual growth was equally apparent and when 
he left it in 1868, the church was in a prosperous 
condition. He remained in Jonesville for four 
years, thence removed to Leslie, Ingham County, 
where he was the minister in the Baptist Church 
for five years. Although his health failed him to 
such an extent that he was unable to walk to 
church, he would not give up, but was carried to 
the house of worship and, seated in a chair, would 
expound the Scriptures to the people. In this waj- 
he continued to preach for more than half the time 
during four years, until his health was restored. 

Among other pastorates held by the Rev. Mr. (Tal- 
lup were those at Saline, where he remained three 
years, Chelsea, two years, and .again at Saline for 
two years. In 1882 he came to Ypsilanti for the 
purpose of securing for his children good educa- 
tional advantages and since that time he has sup- 
plied neighboring pulpits, while retaining his home 
here. He has a pleasant residence at No. 508 
Browcr Street opposite the Normal School, and the 
cozy home is presided over by his wife, a lady of 
refinement. Mrs. Gallup was born in Delaware 
County, N. Y., June 20. 1830, and is a daughter of 
Benjamin and Catherine Turk, who came to .lack- 
son County in 1845. The only shadow of sorrow 
which has come into the home of Mr. Gallup has 
been caused by the death of three of his children, 
but the bereaved parents have mourned not as 
those without hope. Of the family of Mr. Gallup 
we note the following: Uphrasin died in child- 
hood; Eva is the wife of Prof. W. A. Week, of St. 
Louis, this State, and for some time Assistant Pro- 
fessor in the languages at the State Normal; they 
h.ave one child, Pearl. Delta died in infancy; Fred L. 
is now discount clerk in the First National Bank of 
Ypsilanti; Frank A. died when only six years old. 



248 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM, 



At the time of the organization of the Repub- 
lican party in this State, under the oaks in Jackson, 
Mr. Galhip was present and claims it was a red 
letter day for hi in. Me also heard (iov. Austin 
lilair deliver his tiist oration July 4. 1836. when 
.lacksoii had liut (iiie luick li<iu>c. lie has been a 
strong Ucpuhlican e\-er since the organization of 
tlie party, and socially belongs to the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows. A man of much natural 
ability he owes his present high position in the 
esteem of the people to his honesty and unwavering 
manline.ss. He li;is traveled extensively, having 
visited every Slate in the 1 iiion with the exception 
of twfi 01' three in the extreme Northeast, and has 
also been in Central Aiiieiica and New Mexico. 
Hut lie unhesitatingly (lecJMres that Ypsilanti is the 
liest little city he has cvci- been in. and as an edu- 
cational center, without .-i rivjil. 



JOHN KKNNY. The very line farm owned 
by our subject extends over three sections 
of Webster Township, overlajjping .sections 
1.5, 22 and 23. He was born in Townsend. 
Windsor County, Vt., September 27, 1822, and is a 
son of ]M minis and Patty Kenny, both natives of 
Vermont. Our subject's jjaternal grandsire was 
Moses Kennj", who was of Irish descent, his father 
having been a native of the Emerald Isle. His 
mother, whose maiden n:ime was Patt>- Campbell, 
is of Scotch descent and a sister of Polly Camp- 
bell, who is the mother of J. C. Wheeler. Muinis 
Kenny was educated in Livingston College and 
afterward studied law with Judge Field, and was 
admitted to practice at the bench and bar when a 
young man. He piu'sued the profession for some 
years, his marriage taking place when he was 
about twenty-one years of age, ajid three years 
after this he removed to Brighton, a market town 
near Boston. Our subject's father died April 23, 
1863. He was born December 10, 1788, and his 
marriage was solemnized January 12, 1814. His 
wife, Patty, was born February 21. 1792, and died 
February 2, 1886, at the age of ninety-four vears. 



After the marriage of our subject's parents they 
continued to live at Brighton for about five years, 
there keeping a market house, and finally came to 
Michigan in 1829. the family having lived in 
Poultney one year. Mr. Kenny's sister has in her 
l)ossession a sampler made liy his mother at the 
age of eight years, bearing the following lettering: 
"Poultney, Vt., July 16. 1800. Patty Campbell, born 
F'ebruary 21, 1792, aged eight years." 

Our subject was one of the following-named 
children: Keys K., born December 8, 1839; I'^liza 
died January 4, 1839, at the age of twentj'-two 
years; Martha died September 8, 1855, at the age 
of thirtv-six years; our subject is the fourth child 
in order of birth; Jane died April 25, 1881, at the 
age of fifty -six years; Laura survives; Charles 
Henry died October 4, 1882, at the age of fifty-two 
years. As is seen only two of the family still sur- 
vive. The famil_v emigrated to this State in 1829, 
the father having made a prospecting tour the 
previous year, at which time he secured a tract of 
two hundred and forty acres of Government land, 
upon which his family later settled. While en 
route for this State the family stopped at Ashta- 
biilM.tihio. Tlic Cider ^[r. Kenny cleared a tract 
of llucf bundled ;in(l eiglity acres, nor did he con- 
line bis attc'iition alone to his individual interests, 
lia\ing the progress of the viciuit_y at heart. He 
w;is a iiicmbcr of the Territorial Legislature that 
met at Detroit, and was elected by the Whig party. 

Munnis Kenny originated the Washtenaw JIu- 
tual Insurance Company at a time when onl3' seven 
men could be induced to enter it. They, however, 
secured a chai'ter from the Legislature, and at his 
death the company erected a monument in the 
Webster cemetery in honor of the man who had 
not only advanced the interests of a company but 
was a public benefactor. He was a leader in many 
similar enterprises. The organization of the Con- 
gregational Church in this place was aided and 
hastened by him. He and his son Keys hauled the 
logs to build the first place of worship occupied 
by that jjeople. He was one of the first Deacons, 
and when a finer edifice was erected in 1860 he 
was one of the most generous contributors to the 
project. A stanch Whig, the principles of aboli- 
tion appealed to him from a huin.anitarian stand- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



249 



point, and when the district in which he lived 
polled only seven votes he advanced the intei-ests 
of the Abolition party. 

Prior to coming to this State Munnis Kenny liad 
been a member of the Vermont Legislature, and 
after coming hither was Snpervisorof the township 
in the year of 1839-40, and was Township Clerk 
from 1847 to 1849, and again in 180(5-57. He was 
Secretary of the Insurance Company, and devoted 
much time and attention to the inl(Me>1s of this 
enterprise. 

John Kenny was niairied JMay 16, l.s.'iO, to Miss 
Adeha (Jueal, a daugliter of Henry M. and Eliza 
(Bennett) Queal, both natives of New York. The 
former was born September 27, 1801, and died July 
24, 1886. The family located in this county in 
1835, and two years later Mrs. Kenny's mother 
pjxssed away. The members of the ( Jueal family 
were as follows: Dorr, who died April 3, 18.")0; 
George, whose decea.se took place May 31,1856; 
Reuben lives in Webster; Jane and Adelia. Jane 
is now Mrs. Nicholas Van Riiier, of AVebster. 
Adelia was born September 12, 1829, in Tompkins- 
town, Tioga County, Pa., where her family had 
lived from the time of their marriage until coming 
to Michigan. She and her sister were the house- 
keepers for their father, who held a number of 
minor olHces in the township. 

The original of our sketch has lived on the farm 
which his father located here for many years. He 
has the original entry of the land, but has added 
to the farm until it now comprises two hundred 
and sixty-three acres. For forty years he lived on 
the old farm before coming to his present place. 
He has just erected a line new residence which adds 
greatly to the appearance and value of the place. 
The family that has been entrusted to the care of 
our subject and wife are named as follows: Byron, 
Ossian, Eliza, Ida, Munnis and Bert. The fii-sl 
named lives in Webster Township, on Independ- 
ence Lake; he married Emily Iladley. Ossian le- 
sides in Garden Grove, Cal., where he is a farmer; 
Eliza is now ]Mrs. Warren Waldron, of Hastings, 
Neb.; Ida lives at home; Munnis died November 
28, 1887, a victim of typhoid fever. The youngest 
son IS owner of part of the old farm; his wife was 
Miss Ilattie Phelps, a daughter of George Phelps. 



Our subject has for years devoted himself to 
general farming. He has never had ambition to 
Hll public ottice, giving his whole attention to ag- 
ricultural pursuits. Both he and his wife are mem- 
liers of the Congregational Church, and have been 
so connected for twenty-five years. Our subject is 
a Republican in polities, and an ardent advocate of 
temperance. 

Since the above was written our sulijcct lias 
passed away, his death occurring Seplenilicr 17. 
1 H9 1 . 



^^^HOMAS E. TALLADAV, a Tnion soldier of 
/'/^\the Army of the Potomac and a [jrominent 
V^g^' citizen residing on section 18, Augusta 
Township, this county, is a native of New York 
Slate, having been born in Wayne County, Novem- 
ber 19, 1840. He is a son of William and Susan 
(Wayne) Talladay, who were natives of the Empire 
State. His maternal (ir.andfather Wayne was a 
Captain in the War of 1812 and a relative of the 
celebrated Anthony Wayne of Revolutionary fame. 

When our subject was but three years old his 
parents removed to Cayuga County, N. Y., and 
there resided until their son was about twelve years 
old, when they removed to Niagara County, of 
the same State, and there the original of our sketch 
grew to manhood. From early boyhood he lived 
on a farm and there acquired the clearness of per- 
ception and physical vigor which has characterized 
him through life. He received a common-school 
education and as is tlie case with so many of our 
American young men, his advantages in this direc- 
tion were pieced out by observation and assimila- 
tion. He is well-posted and a man who h.as read 
extensively. 

September 15, 1861, our subject enlisted in the 
AVar of the Rebellion, joining Company II, Fortj'- 
Ninth New York Infantry ,and was assigned to 
duty with the Army of the Potomac. He was a 
participant in the siege of Yorktown and also 
fought in the battle of Williamsburg. He faced 
danger in front of Richmond and was one to ex- 



250 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



perience the hardships of the seven daj-s' retreat. 
Next he fought at Chancellorsville. He also fought 
in the battles of Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spott- 
sylvania. North River and Cold Harbor, also in the 
siege of Petersburg and in numerous minor en- 
gagements. After this extensive service he was 
honorably discharged October 18, 18G4. when he 
returned to Niagara County. N. Y. 

I^ecember 16, 1865, our subject was united in 
marriage to Miss Ellen Dansingburg, of this county. 
She was born February 17, 184.3, and was a daugh- 
ter of Jacob and Belinda (Critchell) Dansingburg. 
Her parents were natives of York State, having 
emigrated to JNIichigan early in the '30s, and set- 
tled on the farm whereon our subject now resides. 
Mrs. Talladay's father settled in the woods, first 
living in a log house, and she who is the compan- 
ion of the joys and sorrows of our subject, knows 
l)y actual experience many of the hardships as well 
as the .idventures of pioneer life. Mrs. Talladay's 
father has been twice married and was the father 
of eleven children, nine of whom are living at 
the present time. They are George M., Peter, .\nn. 
KUen, jMrs. Talladay. Melinda, Florence. Theron, 
Jennie and Lee. (jeorge is residing in Soutiiern 
Kansas and Peter in Minnesota. Ann is the wife 
of William Swarthout and resides in Ovid, N. Y. 
Melinda married William White and resides in 
Genesee County, Mich. Florence is the better-half 
of Henry Stumpenhusen, of this county. Tlienm 
is engaged in business in Minneapolis, Minn. Jen- 
nie is the wife of F. A. Fletcher, of this county, 
and tlie youngest son is still a business man in 
Rochester. Minn. The mother of the family died 
in 18.")1 and INIr. Dansingburg in 1881. In the 
tieatli (if Mr. Dansingburg Augusta Township lost 
one of her early and most honored pioneers. 

T(i our subject and his estimable wife have been 
liorn two children. The elder is Nellie, now the 
wife of H. Knickerbocker. The younger is a son, 
.l.iy NV.. a youth at school. Tn 1866 our subject 
and Ills wife emigrated to Washtenaw County and 
settled on his present farm. He keeps bright the 
experiences and reminiscences of his military career 
liy his association as a member of the (irand Army 
of the Republic, belonging to the post at Milan. Mr. 
T;illn(lM\- is n lo\al. true-liearted son of toil who 



seeks every opportunity to demonstrate his un- 
selfish devotion to country and to the vicinity in 
which he lives. Politically he is a Republican, 
tiiat is, he casts his vote for President with that 
party. In local affairs his proclivities are indepen- 
dent, casting his vote for the man whom he thinks 
best fitted for the office in question rather than 
one who promises to be a party tool. He and his 
wife are active members of the social life of the 
community. While he is liberal in church affairs, 
Mrs. Talladay is connected with the Presbyterian 
denomination. Our subject owns and operates 
eighty acres of land, all of which is under a high 
state of cultivation. It is one of the most attrac- 
tice agricultural .spots of the district, being con- 
spicuous for the management that, while making 
it neat and attractive still shows prudence .and 
economy. 



^^m^^^^^Mi 



\l EVI WHIPPLE. A large class of the farm- 
ers of Washtenaw County lead such modest 
and quiet lives as to be seldom heard of 
outside of their own township. They are doing 
fine work in their own commuuit}- but do not care 
to mingle in the more pubhc matters of political 
life and devote all their time and energies to the 
cultivation of their farms and the development of 
the resoiu'ces of their vicinity. Such men deserve 
more mention than they ordinarily receive and we 
are glad to here present one of them in the person 
of Levi Whijiple who resides on section 33, Lima 
Townshi]). 

Mason AVhipple, the father of our subject, was a 
son of Ephraim Whipple, a native of Rhode Island 
who removed to Massachusetts before his death. 
Mason Whipple was quite young when he moved 
from Massachusetts to New York and there he re- 
sided for a number of years before coming to 
Michigan. Here he settled uijon a farm in Lima 
Township and lived until his death which took 
jjlace in 1842. He was married in Massachusetts to 
Polly Tiffany, a native of that State, and to them 
were liorn four children — Russell, Susan, Almon 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



■251 



M. and Levi. In 1833 the family emigrated to 
Michigan. Tlie fatlier was a mason 1)V trade and 
followed that calling through most of liis life, lie 
passed from life in 1842 and his wife died in l^Sfi.S. 

Levi Whipple was l)orn July 2.5. 1817, in Ontario 
County, iS'. Y., and at the age of sixteen he came 
to Michigan and worked on a farm and finally in 
1843 bought the farm of one hundred and twonty 
acres which he now owns in Lima Township. Here 
he was married to Amanda Owens, of Calhoun 
Count}- and unto them have been born four chil- 
dren — ]Mason, AVarren T.. Clara, and Edmund .T. 

The farm of Mr. Whipple was purchased l\y his 
brother from the Government about the year 1834, 
hut not much was done upon it until our subject 
took it. He has erected here an excellent farm- 
house and other buildings and has set out a fine 
orchard. He is a Republican in his ()olitical views 
and has been attached to that party since its organ- 
ization, but he has steadfastly declined to accept 
official honors preferring to live the life of an in- 
dependent farmer. 



i>^^<i 



y^RRIN T. HOOAER. The able and talented 
I Jl t'ditor and prt)prietor of the sheet known as 
N^' the C^helsea Standard, took the position 
which he now holds in June, 1891, at which time 
he purchased the organ. It is a joujnal jniblished 
in the interests of all classes of people in the vi- 
cinity, catering to the agricultural class wliicli 
supports Chelsea so largel}', as much as to tlie 
manufacturing and professional men of the town 
proper. Its local news are full and yet concise, 
and its editor disdains to drag into its columns the 
belittling scandal with which the pages of so many 
of our journals are made too spicy. 

Mr. Hoover is a native of Grass Lake, Jackson 
County, this State. He was born .January 5, 1869, 
and is a son of John (i. and Elizabeth A. (Tiche- 
nor) Hoover, natives of Xew York and Michigan 
respectively. Our subject's father was educated 
in the flrsl-named State, and was l)rouglit West 
by his parents, who settled in Macomb County. 



They were John and Fanny (Gurnsey) Hoover, 
natives (if New York. ( )nr subject's grandsire was 
liei'e enu-.-iufd in fMi'ininu'. ••uid liere also sjjcnt the 
remainder <>{ \\\-~ life, his deeea>e taking place in 
lis.sf;. 

.IdIui (i. Hoover was reared a farmer ;\nd re- 
mained at home until he was twent3--one years of 
age, when he engaged in the carpenter's work and 
became a builder and contractor. He now resides 
at Chelsea and was married in Grass Lake, Jack- 
sou County. He came to Chelsea in 1879. .and 
still carries on his trade at this place. Our subject 
is one of three children born to his parents, they 
being Orrin T.. Nettie E. and Fanny H. 

He of whom we write received the rudinieuts of 
his education at (irass Lake and linished at Chel- 
sea in 1884. He liere learned the pi-inter's trade, 
.and was thus engaged at this work for foui- years. 
Thence he went to Jackson and worked at his 
trade for one year, when he went to Saline, where 
he had charge of an office, and there remained for 
one year. At the expiration of that time he re- 
moved to Detroit and made that his home until 
1891, when the opportunity w.as offered for the 
purchase of the paper of which he is now proprietor, 
and believing it to be a good opening for an ener- 
getic and enterprising young man, he at once be- 
came its owner. The sheet w.as independent in 
politics and he aims to make its tone as high as 
possible. At the present time it has a circulation 
of six hundred and is meeting with as great a de- 
gree of success as so recently established an organ 
can expect. He is aml)itious for his paper, and 
doubtless it will accomplish much good in the 
community wiierein it has been established. 

Mr. Hoover was married March 18, 1891, to Miss 
INIary B. Goodyear, the daughter of Seymour and 
Jennie (Purchase) Goodj-ear, natives of New York 
and Michigan respectively, but now residents of 
Chelsea. He of whom we write is a Republican 
and belongs to the fresh young blood that has 
been infused into that party. He is an ardent be- 
liever in the future of his party and is willing to 
work for it accordingly. He is a member of the 
Typographical I'nion and seeks to keep abreast 
with the advancement of the times in whatever 
pertains to his profession as well as to the news of 



252 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



the day. Mr. Hoover is a young man who, in the 
parlance of the present day. might appropriately 
l)e called a ''hustler," and one who is hound tn 
I)ecome l)ettcr known as the years pass liy. 



i-=» / 






f^ LVA FREER, .\mong the ])romineut and 
enterprising citizens of the village of 
li Chelsea, no one is more worthy of note 
^jjj than he whom we here name, who has 

now retired from his fine farm in Lima Township, 
and since 1880 has made his home in the village, 
lie is a native of Geneva, Yates County, X. Y., 
and was there born ]March 28, 1813. He is a son 
of Jonas E. and Sarah (Cooley) Freer, both New 
Yorkers. The father carried on a farm for many 
years in his native State and in 1837 came to 
.Michigan and made a settlement in Lima Town- 
ship. He at first bought four liundred acres with 
his son Alva and upon this old homestead he for 
years kept an hotel and store and is well remem- 
bered as one of the very earliest and most progres- 
sive pioneers of the township. He was a leading 
and prosperous man and was etticient in helping to 
buihl roads, school-houses and churches. Being a 
mechanic he built with his own liands his house 
and barns and also a blacksmitli shop which he iiad 
upon his estate as well as doing work for his 
neighbors. 

Jonas E. Freer was warmly attacheil to llie doc- 
trines and policy of tlie dhl Whig party and 
earnestly advocated its claims. The liaptist Church 
was the religious home of himself and wife whose 
Christian character will long be remembered. He 
died upon tlie old homestead and his good wife 
was drowned while on a trip liast to visit old 
friends. His patriotic devotion to his country had 
lieen proven during the stormy days of 1812. Of 
liis twelve children five now survive, namely: 
.Miranda, Mrs. Jewett: our sul)ject; James C; 
Sarah .\., Mrs. Blackncy; and Mnrtha .1. 

The i)aternal gr.andparents of our subject were 
l-",lislia and Elizalicth (Everett) l''rccr, natives of 



New York. The grandfather was a farmer tluough- 
out life except during the War of the Revolution 
wlien he. like many another patriotic soul, left the 
plow for the musket. He was devotedly attached 
to tiie docti'iues and principles of the Whig party 
and was a man of decided religious views being 
connected with the Baptist Church. lie and his 
good wife had a family of twelve children. On 
his side of the family they are from German stock 
and the Everetts are of French and Irish lineage. 

The maternal grandparents of our subject were 
.lames C. and Elizabeth (Swarthout) Cooley, both 
of Eastern birth, where they lived and died upon 
a farm. Like the grandfather on the other side of 
the family Mr. Cooley was one of the fighters in 
the Revolutionary conflict and tlie Baptist Church 
was also their religious home. lie likewise es- 
poused the political views of the Whig party and 
was an earnest advocate of its distinctive princi- 
l>les. They had a family of six children. 

lie of whom we write was educated in his native 
State and had the usual di.^cipline and training 
which comes to a farmer's boy, tiian which there is 
nothing better for developing true manliness and 
independence. He was married in the year 1833 
to Miss Pluebe Ann Streeter, who was born near 
I'enn Yan, Yates County, N. Y. Before coming 
to Michigan and for three years after reaching this 
State the young man farmed in connection with 
his father, and then established himself indepen- 
dently. 

The |)arents of Mrs. Freer were Whipple and 
.Mary (Townsend) Streeter. ]Mr. Streeter was a 
teachei- in his younger days and also b^- trade a 
saddler. He removed to Kuowlesville, Orleans 
County, X. Y., and continued there through life. 
His quiet and useful life was only interrupted by 
his services as a soldier in the War of 1812. and he 
ever contended for the soundness of AVhig princi- 
ples. He and iiis wife were true-hearted and faith- 
ful Christians whose influence still remains. His 
death occurred in New York and liis l)ereaved 
widow then came AVest with Mrs. Freer with whom 
she s])ent tiie remainder of her days and iier grave 
may iinw be seen in Lima Township. Of their 
eight children .ALs. Freer only, now survives. 

The parents of our suliject were -lames and 




,^f 




/ 



,^;^^v^l/'/'i^,/3r<rt^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUIM. 



255 



X 



Sarah Freer, who were native's of New York and 
peoijle of decided Christian character and intelli- 
S'encc. After leavino; Ins father Alva Freer farmed 
two hundred and fortv acres of huid in Lima 
Township and thus continued as we have said untii 
1880. since which time he has made his home in 
the village of Chelsea, where he has engaged to 
some extent in huying and selling village lots. 

Six children blessed his home two of wlumi are 
now living, namely; Sarah A; (Mrs. Woods), and 
Mrs. C. II. Kem()f who lias three children — ( Jeorge. 
Wilber and ^Nlyrtie. One of Mr. Freer's sons, 
(ieorge A., was a member of the Tenth Michigan 
Cavalry and died of consumption in 1878. lie 
had married Carrie Cole of Ann Arbor and by her 
had one son, Fred F., and he also died of the dire 
scourge, consumption. 

This gentleman has done much in the past to 
improve. Luna Township and has also been a prom- 
inent man in the village. lie was the first settler 
who undertook breaking land with one team in 
Lima Township and was ever enterprising and 
successful in his work. His wife is a devoted 
member of the Congregational Churcii and he is 
also connected with that society. 



]^+^e 



ANTKL IS. BROWN. He who enjoys the 
)y distinction of being the oldest surviving 
(^3^ settler of Washtenaw County and also of 
Ann Arbor, is the gentleman whose name 
appears at the head of this sketch. He was born 
at Plymouth, Windsor County, Vt., June 12, 1805, 
and is a son of Daniel and Polly (Jennison) Brown, 
both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. When 
seven years of age our subject with his parents re- 
moved from his native State to Owego, Broome 
County, N. Y. His father later became engaged 
uix>n the contract for the Erie Canal, and was as- 
sisted by our subject until the completion of the 
enterprise, covering a period of seven years. 

A\ hen a young man. Daniel Brown on (me oc- 
casion <lrove a lierd of cattle to New York City, and 
on returning iioiiu'. piuclmsed with tin' i)roceeds a 



canal bo.at witli liorses, and thereafter engaged for 
some time in traftic on the Erie ('.anal. He then re- 
moved to Lockport and was there engaged on a 
faim. While living in Lockport, Lafayette and 
liis son \isited this country and Mr. Brown with 
fifty ymnignien went to Niagara Falls on horse- 
liack and escorted them and party to Lockport 
aiidliad the i)ieasure of taking both by the hand. 
In October, 1826, he brought a load of salt 
to dispose of in Detroit, .and while there, was so 
pleased with the surrounding country, that he de- 
termined on making it his future home, and located 
one hundred .acres of land on section :52, which is 
now within the corporate limits of the city. 

On his return home, i\lr. Brown was married to 
Miss Anna Vickery, of Tompkins County, the 
marriage taking place the 22d of October, 1827. 
Immediately afterward Mr. Brown, liaving in- 
vested in an abundant supply of dried fruits 
and having shipped the same to Ann Arbor, came 
to this city and fixed their residence in a smal' 
frame house where the First National Bank 
now stands, using tlie rear of the building as a 
dwelling, and the front for a store, where he opened 
a general stock of goods in partnership with his 
brother. Anson Brown. The brothers continued 
in business together for about four years, and then 
Anson purchased the water-power on the Huron 
River, about where the St. Clair Mills now stands 
and there associated with Col. Dwight Kellogg, and 
Edward Fuller built the first flouring mill in this 
vicinity. Mr. Brown meantime carried on quite an 
extensive trade with the Indians, taking cranber- 
ries, wild honey and furs, which he shipped to New 
York, in exchange for dry-goods and edibles. 

During this period Mr. Brown .served !is .Sheriff 
of Washtenaw County, having been appointed by 
the Governor to the position, which was quite un- 
solicited. Shortly after the ex])iration of his term 
of office he was associated in business with Clark- 
son Mundy, a nephew of Lieut, (ioy. Mundy, of 
Michigan. This partnership continued for two 
years when our subject sold out his interest. He 
then received the appointment of Superintendent 
of the Michigan Central Railroad by the Commis- 
sioners of internal lnipri)vement. This road was 
conuneiiced by the State, and l)uilt from Detroit to 



256 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Ann Arbor. Owing to the panic of 1837, the State 
could not complete the road, and it was sold to a 
company that finished it. Mr. Brown remained 
with that road until it passed into the possession 
of its present owners. Prior to this, however, in 
the fall of 1836, our subject went to Chicago, leav- 
ing his famil}' in Ann Arbor, and formed a part- 
nership with liis brother, Natlian J. Brown, and 
also Augustus Garret, and engaged in the real- 
estate business, buying and selling on commission 
hundreds of thousands of acres. About 1840 lie 
took from the Govei'nment several mail contracts, 
which he had for three or four years, and which 
were fairly profltalile. 

In 1851 he was affected with the C'alifornia fever 
and made the journey to the Golden State via the 
Mississippi River to New Orleans and the Isthmus, 
with the intention of engaging in gold mining. 
After a varied and interesting experience, he re- 
turned two years later to Ann Arbor, where for 
more than half a century he has made his home, 
living in his present residence. Mr. Brown was 
one of the original members in the organization of 
the Baptist Church in Ann Arbor, and has orticiated 
as its Trustee since its organization. For forty- 
seven years he was a Deacon in the denomination, 
and has been a co-laborer with many of tlie best- 
know and most godly men in the support of Gos- 
pel work. Mr. Brown has always been exceedingly 
generous in aiding the progress of any worthy en- 
terprise. To him should be given all due distinc- 
tion, and in years to come the noted educational 
institution, whose reputation goes far l)eyond tlie 
limits of the State or even of this nation, will de- 
light in honoring the memory of Mr. Brown as one 
of the five men who donated the land now covered 
by the University of iSIiehigaii in the entirety of 
its buildings. 

Of the eight children sent to bless the union of 
our subject and his gentle and lovable wife, only 
three are now living. They are Lettie, wife of 
Atwood Brooks, a learned professor located at 
Corpus Christi, Tex., engaged in educational work; 
Mattie is the wife of Dr. Wilder, of Chicago; and 
Lucy, who is at home. One son, Anson, was a 
Lieutenant in tlie Union Army during the Civil 
War. was wounded in the battle of Chantillv, near 



Washington, and died in eight days. There are 
some men whose natural characteristics and inborn 
traits i-ipen with age as do the best and rarest 
varieties of tropical fruits, becoming mellow and 
luscious as the afternoon sun warms them. So 
with our suliject; men who know him say of him, 
that his is one of the most lovable and amialile of 
dispositions and natures, and age has only intensi- 
fied and made more striking these characteristics 
because of variety. Mr. Brown is now eighty-six 
years old, and lives in peaceful retirement from the 
fret and worry of life, his wife being his loving 
partner, as she has been his co-worker for sixty- 
four years, she being at the present time also eighty- 
six years of age. Their home is a beautiful brick 
house, not modern in style of architecture, but 
having taken unto itself the comforts and conven- 
iences now common. It.is surrounded by trees and 
beautiful shrubbery, and is a delightful pl.ice in 
which to pass the declining years of life. 

Politically, Mr. Brown was formerly an (»ld-line 
Whig, but being a participant in the organization 
of the Republican party in 185'6,he transferred his 
allegiance to it, and has ever since been a consis- 
tent and, faithful supporter of that organization. 
]\Ii\ Brown has passed the greater portion of his 
life in this city, and is thoroughly identified with 
the interests of the place, and is rec:ognized by all 
as one of its representative and most highly es- 
teemed as well as venerable citizens. 

A lithographic portrait of Mr. Brown accom- 
panies this sketch. 



*^^[ 






j|n]\jENEDlCT B. WILLIAMS. Dexter has it^ 
iL-^ full quota of vigorous, enterprising, thor- 
;/^i,l ough-going business men, whose popuhirity 
%=< is liascd upon both their social qualities and 
their well-known integrity and business activity. 
None among these is better liked by those who 
have dealings with him than he of whom we now 
write. He is the proprietor and manager of the 
planing mill and a lumber dealer, contractor .and 
general housebuildcr, furnishinii: building material 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



257 



and finishing goods, such as sash, doors and blinds 
and liaving sipccial facilities for bringing out hand- 
some ornamental work, l)esides doing job work of 
all kinds. 

Mr. William's bu.siness was established May 24, 
1876, succeeding the firm of Phelps ct Sill Bros., 
whose mill was burned about that time. He had 
been foreman in theii- .shop for one year and had a 
thorough understanding of the business, so that he 
■was able to take it up and ]n:in.age it successfully. 
Our subject was born in DeKalb, St. Lawrence 
County, N. Y., December 12, 1831, his parents be- 
ing William T. and Amanda A. (Burnett) Williams, 
the former a native of Otsego County, and the 
latter of St. Lawrence County, N. Y. The great- 
grandfather William Williams, was a Scotchman 
and his son John Williams died when Benedict was 
a boy of nine 3'ears. 

Our subject early learned the carpenter's trade 
and worked at it at Canton, N. Y. In 18.54 when 
in his twenty-second year he came with a brother 
Edgar to Michigan. After working for three or 
four 3ears at Ann Arbor, he bought a farm in 1861, 
in Webster Township, eleven miles from Destei, 
and after carrying this on for ten years removed 
to Dexter and resumed his trade, entering largely 
upon the work of contracting and building. Most 
of this work at first was for himself as he erected 
some three houses and employed from three to 
eight men. He is a practical architect and has 
erected the finest residence to be found in the 
county. 

The marriage of our subject took place Novem- 
ber 7, 1860, the day after the first election of 
Abraham Lincoln to the Presidencj' of the United 
States. This union was celebrated in Sunderland 
and his bride was Miss Clarissa C. Cooley, a teacher 
in the Ann Arbor High School. .Sunderland was 
her native home and she had taught there for eight 
years before coming to Ann Arlior, where she 
taught for two years. Her children are Herbert A. 
and Anna L., the former being book-keeper and 
business manager of the Courier, and the daughter 
1 eing now Mrs. Fiank V. Taylor, of East Tawas, 
Jlich., where her husliand is engaged in general 
merchandise. She wa- before iii;irriagc a teacher 
in Dexter for four \ears .and both she and her 



brother are graduates of the Dexter High wSchool. 
The family home is on Ann Arbor Street near the 
Higli School building. Mr. Williams is Republican 
in ])olitics and has filled various local offices and 
Ids good wife is well known in church circles as an 
active and devoted member of the Congregational 
Church. 



\t^. ROF. CHARLES B. NAN(1REDE. M. D. This 
))] gentleman, who is the Professor of Surgery 
I ^ and C'linical Surgery in the ITniversity of 
I. \ Michigan, is a native of Pennsylvania, hav- 
ing been born in the city of Philadelphia, Decem- 
ber 30, 1847. His father, Thomas D. Nancrede, 
was an importer and wholesale dry-goods merchant 
of Philadelphia, although born in Boston, Mass., 
being of French descent on the paternal side. The 
mother was Marj- E. Bull, of English extraction 
and the eldest daughter of Marcus Bull, of Wood- 
park, Vn. 

He of whom we write passed his boyhood in his 
native city, being educated at private schools until 
his matriculation in the Literary Department of the 
University of Penns3'lvania, in June, .1864, where 
for over two years he pursued his studies, until 
in October, 1866, he entered the Medical Depart- 
ment of the same institution, graduating therefrom 
after a three years' course, March 13, 186S). He 
then spent one year as resident physician in the 
Protestant Episcopal Hospital in Philadelphia, one 
of the largest there. Shortly afterward he was 
appointed Assistant Surgeon of this institution; 
seven 3-ears later he was elected full Surgeon and 
was, when he left Philadelphia, Senior Surgeon of 
the hospital. During much of this time he was 
Surgeon and finally Senior Surgeon to St. Christo- 
pher's Hospital for children. He was appointed 
Assistant Demonstrator of Anatomy and Demon- 
strator of Osteology and Symlesmology in his Alma 
Mater, being also a lecturer on the latter subjects 
for .some years. In 1883 he took a second degree 
of medicine at the .Jefferson Medical College of 



258 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Philadelphia, and was later appointed Surgeon to 
this hospital and Clinical Lecturer fiu disease- of 
tlie rectum and anus. 

I^r. Nancrede is tin; author of n luiinlier of valu- 
alile works on surgery; being one of the autliors of 
the International Encyclopedia of Surgery, Woods 
IIandl>ook of the Medical Sciences, the Cyclopedia 
of Dise.ases of Children, and is also tlie author of a 
work on Anatomy, now in its fourth edition. In 
addition he has been a frequent conti'ibutor to tlie 
proceedings of various learned societies and the 
medical journals. He was Secretary of the Phila- 
delphia County Medical Societ}-, Recorder of the 
Pathological Society and Editor of its transactions, 
is a member of the American Medical Association 
and of the American Surgical Association of which 
latter society he was Vice-President, and is a cor- 
responding member of the Royal Academy of 
Medicine of Rome, Italy. He was Professor of gen- 
eral and Orthopoedia .Surgery in the Philadelphia 
Polyclinic where he is now Emeritus Pi'ofessor of 
the same branches, and was formerly Lecturer O" 
Surgery at Dartmouth College. 

Dr. Nancrede married in 1H72 .\licc Howard, 
second daughter of Francis Dunningt^n, of Balti- 
more, Md. In 1869, without solicitation on his 
part, he was called by the unanimous vote of the 
Regents to fill the Chair of Surgery in the Univer- 
sity of Miclygan, which position he Alls, as he has 
filled all to which he has been called, with great 
ability and success. 



ROF. MORTIMER E. COOLEY. Until a 
comparatively recent time scant attention 
has been paid in our institiiti(ms of learning 
to the combination of mental and skilled 
technical work. Strange to say, tiiat out-of-the-way 
country of which we hear so little in other respects, 
Finland, was one of the first to popularize tlie 
technical course of instruction. Germany followed 
and brought her .science to bear upon the more 
natural methods of the first-named country. Amer- 
ica has not been slow to see the advantages de- 



rived from .such a cour.se of instruction and our 
riovernment is encouraged in the work by sending 
out .skilled instructors from its various departments 
to the institutions that are recognized factors in 
the development of the State. 

Prof. .Mortimer E. Cooley is now in charge of 
the department of mechanical engineering in the 
^licliigan University at Ann .\rbor, and is well 
fitted for the respcnisilile duties of this position, 
having been in the Government empkiy for some 
time. He is deservedly most popular in this de- 
ljartnient,an open-hearted, frank and prepos.sessing 
man who appeals to the students as much on the 
human side of their natures as to their conscious- 
ness of his known ability as an instructor. He 
was born March 2H, 1855, in the Township of 
Canandaigua, Ontario County, N. Y., on a farm 
about four miles from the village of that name. 

(_)ur subject's early 3'ears, like so many others of 
those who have attained high positions in Gov- 
ernmental and commercial life, were spent upon the 
farm where he engaged in the usual avocations of 
a farmer's son. He attended a district school regu- 
larly for a few years, but as his help became more 
valuable his advantages were limited to the winter 
season. When sixteen years of age he attended 
the Canandaigua Academy, hiring a room and 
boarding himself and was expecting to do so the 
following winter, but contrary to his desires he 
w.as informed by his father that he had engaged a 
school for him to teach in Hopewell Township, a 
not distant neighborhood. 

AVith i-eluctance our subject entered upon his 
duties. His interest was aroiLscd, however, by the 
information that the school was a "hard one" and 
in which more experienced teachers had failed. 
The combativene.ss in his nature was aroused and 
he was determined to make a success of it. His 
conquest, however, was not attained without a 
struggle, but the fourth week, in which hostilities 
culminated, the young teacher was victorious and 
this in itself proclaimed him master of the situation. 
The next fall term he recommenced attending the 
academy, boarding at home and walking four miles 
to school in the morning and returning home the 
same way night. He now, however, considers this 
exercise to have been beiiellcial to him, nor was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



259 



the time lost to him in study for it was his custom 
to "miike 11]) liis geometry lesson on the way. His 
year was broken, however, by assuminsj the charge 
of a school in the district adjoining his ohl homo. 

Wiiile considering tlie prospects of a college 
education, which were somewhat remote, an open- 
ing presented itself to the young man at the 
United States Naval Academy, and during the 
summer of 1H74 he entered his name with the Navy 
Department for an appointment as cadet en- 
gineer, and was duly summoned to the Naval 
Academy at Annapolis for competitive examina- 
tion in September. His savings from his earnings 
as schoolteaelier .served to equip him for the trip 
and to pay his expenses. The examination was 
very severe and fearing he had not passed he re- 
turned to Canandaigua and engaged to teach in 
the academy while continuing his studies. His 
plans were changed, however, on being summoned 
by telegrapli to report at once for dut^• at tlie 
Naval Academy', the records showing that of sev- 
enty-eight candidates examined for appointment in 
.Septemlier, 1874, and from whom twenty-seven 
were appt)inted cadet engineers in tlie navy, Mr. 
C' )oley passed seventh in order of general merit. 

Having completed liis course at the Naval Acad- 
emy in June, 1878, our suliject was ordered to the 
"(^uinnebaug" September 28. and in November. 
1879. was transferred tti the ■•.\lliance.'" lioth ves- 
sels being tlien on the Kiiropeaii >lalioii. On tlie 
first-named vessel he made the usual Kuropeaii 
crui.se. covering a part of 1878-7S), visiting Ville, 
France; Port Mahone, Malaga, Gi bi-altar, Tangieis, 
Algiers, Tunis, Alexandria,.. Toppa, Smyrna, Con- 
stantinciple, Athens, Trieste, Venice, Naples and a 
number of other ports. From ^Malaga he made a 
week's excursion to (Jrenada and the Alham- 
bra, and from Tunis he visited the site of ancient 
Carthage with his comrade engineer, AV. C. Eaton, 
now professor at ALadison University; fn)m .Toppa 
a trii) was made to .(eru.salem. The trip was a de- 
lightful one and gave him a wealth of pleasant 
memories and associations. Prof. Cooley has al- 
waj's been actively engaged in athletics and while 
in the Naval Academy was for two years Captain 
of the class four oared crew, and in fencing with 
the small sword carried off the honors of his class. 



On the 3d of December, 1880, Mr. Cooley was 
det.ached from the "Alliance" and placed on wait- 
ing orders. March 2i), 1881, he was ordered to duty 
in the bureau of steam engineering at the Navy 
Department and August 2, 1881, he was detached 
and ordered to s|)ecial dut^- at Ann Arbor, Mich., 
under the law of 1879, by which certain officers of 
the navy are detailed to certain educational insti- 
tutions as instructors in steam engineering and 
ship building. In 1882 he was commissioned as 
Assistant Engineer to rank from 1880. On being 
detached and ordered to hold him.self in readiness 
for sea service he was invited to resign his position 
in the navy and accept the Chair of Mechanical 
Engineering in the University, his resignation 
from the navy to date from January 1, 1886. 

While a student at Canandaigua Academy Prof. 
Cooley met Miss Carrie E. ISIoseley, of Fairpt>rt, 
N. Y., then a student at Elmira College. December 
25, 1880, Miss Moseley liecame Mrs. Cooley and it 
is more than probable that the prospective charms 
of home life had much to do with his resignation 
from the navy. The facilities for studying me- 
chanical engineering when Prof. Cooley came to 
the University were very meagre, but with char- 
acteristic enthusiasm he overlooked the drawbacks 
and planned for the future vi.sions of appliances 
and facilities which seemed very wild at that time 
Init which have already become realities. Many 
are the testimonials from Prof. Cooley 's associates 
and intimates of his loyalty from the beginning to 
the work in hand. He is a man whose self-sacri- 
fice and generosity are synonomous with his 
friends. He has been extraordinaril_v successful in 
creating interest in his department .and now his 
class is notable for the original research which they 
accomplish, the studying out of new problems and 
the proving of them by actual results which is the 
best discipline for students. Prof. Cooley is fre- 
quently called into consultation and to make tests 
and reports upon engineering projects, and many 
of the practical branches of work, especially in 
))utting in heating apparatus, have been accom- 
plished by him. Perhaps his princiiinl study is in 
connection with steam m.achinery. 

In his studies and researches the original of our 
sketch has accumulated much material of an orig- 



260 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



inal nature. Articles on the care and management 
of steam boilers, heating and ventilation, and on 
the dynamics of reciprocating engines are among 
some of his papers published that have been favor- 
ably received by the engineering public. Prof. 
Cooley is a member of the United States Naval 
Institute, a Fellow of the American Association for 
the Advancement of Science, a member of the 
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, also of 
the National Association of Stationary Engineers, 
and charter member of the Michigan Engineering 
Societjr, and meml)cr of its Board of Directors for 
five or six years and a member of the American 
Society of Naval Engineers and an honorary 
member of the Engineering Society of the Univer- 
sity of Michigan. In the spring of the year IS^Dl 
Prof. Cooley was elected to the Presidency of 
the City Council, and for two years previous held 
the position of President of the Board of Fire Com- 
missioners. He is a member of Fraternity Lodge, 
No. 262, A. F. & A. M.; Washtenaw Chapter No. 
6, Union Council, Ypsilanti, and the Ann Arbor 
Commandery, No. 13. and has held offices in all 
but the Council. 



-^^ 



' AMES VAN A'lTA is a farmer residing on 
section 12, Northtield Township, where he 
^,^1 has a beautiful place that is under an excel- 
l^^ lent state of cultivation. He is a son of Aaron 
B. Van Atta, a farmer, born in New Jersey in 
Mareh. 1805. He there received a common-school 
education and in 1831 came to Michigan by way of 
Buffalo to Detroit, and thence walked to Ann 
Arbor. He remained the first winter with Natlian 
Sutton and in the same 3'ear came to Northtield 
and located a ' farm of one hundred and sixty acres, 
the woods being so dense and there being so few 
landmarks that he was obliged to depend upon a 
pocket-compass in order to find his way to and 
from the tract. 

Our subject's father built a shanty of split bass 
logs upon his place and this in turn was covered 
with poles and marsh hay. This served as his home 



while he (■ln)pped and cleared the farm for the 
first year. At the end of that time the shanty was 
l)urned and in a week's time he liad erected a small 
frame house, a part of that wherein our subject 
now lives. He cleared the tract and added eighty 
acres to the east side, eigiity acres on the north- 
west, eiglity acres north of that and finally forty 
acres more. He now has two hundred and forty 
acres on section 12, one hundred and sixty acres 
on section 1 1 and forty acres on section 2. 

In 1832 Aaron B. Van Atta was united in mar- 
riage witii INIiss Beard, and lay her he became the 
father of four children. Two are still living and 
reside near Lansing. She died and in 1838 he 
married Klenor Dowers, a daughter of John and 
Catherine Dowers, natives of Orange Count}% N. Y., 
who were tiie parents of four children. Lienor 
being the second in order of birth. There were 
six children who were the fruit of this union and 
of these our subject is the third in order of birth, 
his natal day being October 30, 1846. Lienor 
Van Atta died in March, 1855. Both she and her 
husl)and were members of the Methodist Church. 
The latter was a Democrat in politics, and in early 
days served as Deputy Sheriff and constal)lc. He 
died in 1877. 

Our subject received a good common-school edu- 
cation and began life for himself at the age of 
eighteen years. He rented a farm for three years 
and in 1867 was married and purchased eighty 
acres of land in Green Oak Township, there re- 
siding for two years, after which he came here and 
sj^ent one year. April, 1867, the original of our 
sketch was united in marriage to Julia Co.y, daugh- 
ter of Horace Coy. She was the j^ouugest of four 
children, and was born in 1846. Her decease 
occurred in 1871, she being at the time the mother 
of one son, Frank J. 

In 1872 Mr. Van Atta again married, the ladj- of 
his choice being Iluldah Cole, a daughter of Jacob 
and Iluldah (Koot) Cole, the former of whom was 
born in Wayne County, N. Y., in 1799. He was there 
married and became the father of five children. On 
his wife's decease he married Iluldah Koot of Salem 
Township, this count}'. They settled on a farm 
and became the parents of five children, three of 
whom are still living and of these ]Mrs. Van Atta 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



261 



is the youngest, her birth having occurred Mareli 
24, 1854. She attended the comnKjn school and 
spent three years at Ypsilanti, after which she was 
engaged in teaching for some time. 

Our subject and his wife have two daugliters- - 
Grace E. and Blanche M. In October. 1882, Mr. 
Van Atta went to Soutli Lyons and there engagtd 
in the agricultural implement business, remaining 
there uhtilJaauary, 1891. Socially he of wiiom we 
write belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees. In his 
religious belief he is broad, but his wife is connected 
with the Methodist Church. He is the only Hejjub- 
lican in the ^'an Atta family hut maintains his 
ground manfully against opposing discussions. 
He is a hearty worker in local politics and has 
been Deputy Sheriff i if ()akl:nid County, this State. 



ViENJAMIN IJEPUE, deceased. The life nar- 
rative of the head of a family is intcrest- 
., ing not only to his posterity but also to 
''>~^ the citizens of the section in which he has 
resided, and this truth is doubly true when such a 
man has established for himself and his children 
a reputation for integi-ity, character and, ability, 
and has been of value in the development of that 
portion of the country which was his home. Such 
a narrative do we have in this sketch of Benja- 
min Depue, who was born in llojiewell, Ontario 
County, N. Y., February 3, 1812. 

At the age of twenty-two years this young man 
was united in marriage with the lady of his 
choice, Miss Louisa Marks. The young couple 
soon removed to McCutcheonville, Ohio, where 
they purchased a farm of fortj- acres, to which 
they soon added eighty acres more. They subse- 
quently sohl this property and came to Michigan, 
where they lived in "Wayne County five years be- 
fore coming to Washtenaw County. Mr. Deput 
died here April 28, 1891, and his memory will 
long be revered as that of a true and devoted 
Christian and active member of the Methodist 
Epi.scopal Church. 

Tlie parents of our subject were IMoses and Polly 



(Crawford) Depue, the father having been born 
I December 6, 1785, and the mother April 15, of the 
I following year, and both being natives of New 
I Jersey, not far from Paterson. Thev were blessed 
by the birtli of fifteen children, fourteen of whom 
lived to reach the limit of three-score years. The 
names of this remarkable family are as follows: 
Osee, Hannah, Catherine, Sallie, AVilliara, Benja- 
min, Hiram, John, Polly, Moses, Eliza, Susan, 
Esther, Nancy and David. Nancy died at the 
age of six A'ears, but after her decease there was 
not another death in the family until the young- 
est had passed the age of sixty years. All of them 
except William and Hiram became the heads of 
families. 

The father of this family was the son of Benjamin 
and Osee (Stivers) Depue, the former having been 
born December 2, 1756, and the latter February 
12, 1759. Mo.ses Depue's wife was a daughter of 
William and Catherine (Sly) Crawford, natives of 
New Jersey, and William Crawford was one of a 
family of five children, all of whom lived to ex- 
ceed ninety years of age. We thus see that lon- 
gevity was a characteristic on both sides of the 
family. 

The Depues originally descended from a pair 
of French people who came to America some time 
during the seventeenth century. They were bj' 
occupation farmers, and with few exceptions agri- 
culture has continued to be the family calling. In 
liis early days our subject located in Ohio, when 
tiie country there was new, and it was in 1853 
that he came to Washtenaw County and purchased 
two hundred acres of land which had already been 
somewhat developed. He placed upon it sub- 
stantial improvements and pursued a thorough 
eourse of cultivation which largely increased its 
value. 

Our subject was united in marriage with Louisa 
-Marks, November 25, 1834, and this union was 
crowned by the birth of five children, namely: 
Elizabeth, who married William Geer and died in 
February, 1889; Eliza, who died at the age of 
seven; Alvira, who died at the age of six years; 
Wellington II. and Benjamin O. Wellington H. 
was married, in 1870, to Alice Corvin, and of their 
eight children five are still living. Those who in 



262 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



childhood passed over the dark river to the better 
land are Frank O., Benjamin and Byron, while 
those who still Inighten the lionie of this excel- 
lent couple are Cora E.. Edna D., Nellie, Winne- 
fred E. and Willie K. 



I OIIN TERNS. Tlie proprietor of the Penin- 
sular lee Conii)any,is undoubtedly one of the 
most prominent men of the Fifth Ward. He 
is, moreover, the oldest member of the pres- 
ent Board of Aldermen of Ypsilanti. He is a large 
owner of real estate and has been very successful 
in his business careei- in this city. He was born in 
Luxemburg, German V, in .September, 1849. Heistiie 
son of Peter Terns, who was a farmer in the Father- 
land and resided in Olingen. Our subject's mother 
was in her maiden days Caroline Maria Bach, who 
is a native of the same place as was her l\usband; 
she died in 1867. To this couple were born ten 
children, of whom our subject is the youngest. 
Four of tlie lioys emigrated at an early day to 
America and of these one is now deceased. 

He of whom we write was reared in Olingen, (Ger- 
many, and there received a good education in his 
native tongue. AVheu seventeen years of age he 
was emplo}"ed with a railroad com p.iny of that por- 
tion of Germany under his brother, who is the Su- 
perintendent. He remained in that position for 
two years, and then came 1o America with the ex- 
pectation of bettering his prospects. He left his 
home in the spring of 1868. taking the steamer at 
Havre, and landing at New York. Thence he came 
to Ypsilanti, arriving here May 17, 1868. 

On coming to this place, oui- subject entered the 
employ of the Ypsilanti l'a))er Comiiany, of which 
his brother .Jacob was foreman. He had used his 
entire means in getting here, and had before him 
only the hope of working u\). He was engaged 
with the paper company for thiee years, and then 
entered the business college of (ioldsmith, Bryant 
& Stratton, of Detroit. After graduating fi-om that 
school he returned to Yi)silanti, and entered the 
rag business in partnership with a Mr. Scliaff. the 
firm name beinof Scliaff it Terns. After conducting 



the business for eighteen months under those rela- 
tions, our subject dissolved partnership with Mr. 
Schaff. and took his brother .Jacob instead, and from 
that time they continued for three years, when 
they stild out and started in the grocery business on 
Congress. Street, carrying it on under the firm name 
of Terns Bros. 

Later the firm bt)ught out a saloon and bottling 
goods, and ran this in connection with thegrocery 
for a time, finally selling out the latter and the 
partnership being dissolved, our subject has devoted 
himself ahme to the former business. He carries on 
in connection with it the ice business, having as 
partner in this last-named enterprise Mr. Crobb. 
It is known as the Peninsular Ice Company, and 
has been conducted since 1879. Our subject is now 
the sole (noprietor of the company, and has three 
ice houses on the Ijanks of the Huron River, with a 
capacity of five tiiousand tons of ice. He does the 
principal business in tiiis line here. In 1«8() he 
opened his sample room. 

Aside from his interests mentioned above, ^Ir. 
Terns owns various lots in the cit}- and some valu- 
able real estate. In 1884 he started the manufac- 
ture of cigars, taking as partner for a time 3Ir. 
Whitmyer, but later became sole proprietor. Our 
subject was married in Detroit, in 1873, to Miss 
Mary Seesing, who is a native of this city. Three 
children have lieeii the outcome of this union: 
Kittie is a graduate of the Business College; Matie 
is an attendant at .St. .John's Catholic .School; the 
youngest child is the son and pride of the family. 

I'he original of our sketch served a dozen years 
on the Board of Alderman of the Fifth AVard, and 
at the present time enjoys the distinction of being 
the oldest member of that body. He had been ap- 
pointed to various important committees, and at 
the present time is on the Committee of "Ways and 
Means, and has been Chairman of the Committee 
on Electric Light. Socially Mr. Terns belongs to 
the German Workingman's Societj', being ex-Presi- 
dent. He with the members of his family are at- 
tendants to St. .John's Catholic Church. He is a 
strong Democrat, and has been a delegate to county 
and district conventions frequently and has been 
Chairman of ward conventions. He is also a mem- 
ber of tiie citv and countv committee. * 






^yUrCy, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



•2()3 



ANIEL HISCOCK. Having- retired from 
tlie active proprietorsliip of extensive ag-ri- 
eultural interests, the gentleman of whom 
we write makes liis liome in Ann Arbt)r. He was 
horn in Wayne County, Pa., September 15, 1819, 
.and is a son of James Hiseock, a native of Massa- 
c'liiisetts, and a farmer. The paternal grandfather 
was Noah IIiseock,also a native of Massaehusetts and 
of English descent. The immediate progenitor of 
our subject was born 1788 and when the War of 
1812 occurred he sliouldered his rille and followed 
the ranks. 

Our subject's mother was in her maiden days 
IMiss Nancy Sprague, a native of Massaehusetts 
and a daugliter of Daniel Sprague, also of Mas.s,a- 
cini.H'tts and of English descent. Nancy Sprague 
was born in 1794 and w.as married in her native 
State. She afterward removed with her husband 
to Wayne County, Pa., and there resided for 
twelve years. They then lemoved to Michigan, 
arriving here October 29, 1829, their journey be- 
ing made hither by wagon and a three-horse team. 
The trip occupied six weeks, during which time 
they camped by the wayside, lodging two nights 
in the Mauniee Swamps. 

The family settled in the woods on section 20, 
which is now a part of the city of Ann Ar))or. 
The head of the family carried on general farming 
until the time of his decea.se, which occurred in 
1840; his wife died soon after. Those were the 
da>s when the earl\- settlers suffered from the alv 
.sence of drainage and nearly everyone alternately 
.shook and burned with fever and ague. Our sub- 
ject was one of the nine children born to his pa- 
I'ents, there being six bojs and three girls. The 
latter all died when young. Tiio l)o\-.s lived to 
maturity, but only three survive at tiie present 
time. 

Daniel Hiseock was the eldest of the family and 
was ten years old on coming with liis parents to 
.Michigan. He attended school in Ann Arbor at a 
time when advantages were limited. He assisted 
his father in clearing the farm, grubbing stumps 
for other people and drove a team.comprising four 
yoke of cattle, at the same time shaking like a leaf 
with the ague. After the death of his paients, 
upon him devolved the calf of tlic familv. He 



looked after the younger children uutil they were 
old enough to takeeare.of themselves and then the 
property was divided. Daniel then commenced 
farming on his own account in Ann Arbor Town- 
ship and traded in stock, carrying on a large busi- 
ness foi; a number of years. 

Our subject's farm was on section 20, and com- 
prised one hundred and twenty acres on which he 
erected a good class of buildings. His stock, wiiich 
consisted largely of cattle, was of high grade. He 
also bred good sheep, both for the wool and mut- 
ton. At the same time he was an extensive dealer 
in wool outside of what he himself controlled, 
purchasing in Washtenaw and adjoining covinties, 
and continuing the business uj) to the present 
time. He owns a fine peach orchard, whicli will 
compare favorably with any in the county. 

On Novemlier 10, 1847. our sul)ject w.as married 
to Miss Maria White, a daughter of Eher and 
Polly White, early settlers of this county, coming 
in 1826 from New Yf>rk. Mrs. lliscock was born 
in Sheldon, N. Y.. and was six weeks old when 
brotight to Washtenaw County. Our subject and 
his wife have three children, two boys and a girl. 
Charles E. is Cashier of the Ann Arbor Savings 
Bank; Edward is ;i prominent farmer in Wa.shte- 
naw County; Mary, the wife of .1. .T. Keed, a 
prominent attorney of Chicago. Mi-, lliscock has 
served one term as Supervisor and has also been 
Alderman from the Third Ward, holding a position 
for three years. In politics he was formerly an 
old-line Whig, but later became a Republican. By 
energy and industry Jlr. Hiseock has accumulated 
a large property and is well entitled to enjoy the 
comforts of life in his declining years. 

A portrait of Mr. Hiseock is presented in con- 
nectirm with this sketch. 



/^ AMCEL P. BALLAIJD. II is a pleasure to 

>!s;^ chronicle the history of a man whose life 

1/ j] retains the beautiful simplicity of its pnr- 

~ pose and aim while embellished by the 

amenities, the culture and advantages that means 

permit one to enjoy. I\Ir. llallard. who has aiiived 



266 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



at the zenith of life in years, has accumulated a 
fortune that enables him to enjoy to the fullest ex- 
tent the true comforts of a home that is beautified 
not only by decorative effects made by the hand of 
man, but by the sweet spirit of kindliness and mu- 
tual appreciation anions; the members of the fam- 
ily. 

Samuel V. Ballard, who is a representative citi- 
zen of Augusta Township, is a native of Monroe 
County, N. Y., where he was born January 20, 
1824. He is a son of A.sa X. and Elizabeth (Henry) 
Ballard, the former being a native of Massachu- 
setts, and the latter of New York. Our subject's 
paternal grandsire was a soldier in the Revolution- 
ary War. Early in the Territorial history of ilicii- 
igan, in 1M28, and when our subject was in his 
fourth year, he was brought by his parents to this 
county, coming hither by way of the Erie Canal 
and the Lakes to Detroit, thence to Ypsilanti by 
stage while the goods came to Rawsonville by tlat- 
boat. Asa Ballard was one of the earliest settleis 
of Ypsilanti Township, their first home here being 
made in the midst of the woods. 

After combating with the difficulties and priv a- 
tions of pioneer life, our subject's father departed 
this life in the year 1844, and his wife followed 
him in 1861. They were the parents of seven chil- 
dren, of whom only thiee survive. They are Forbes 
H., Celinda, the widow of James Pierson and Sam- 
uel P., of whom we write. Our subject was reared 
to manhood amid scenes of pioneer life, and prior 
to coming to his present location, he cleared up an 
eighty-acre farm in Ypsilanti Township, besides 
doing much other pioneer labor. He has witnessed 
the growth of the country from a primeval state of 
wilderness to its present jjroductivt" and rich agri- 
cultural state. On first coming here wolves fre- 
cpientlj- made the night hideous about their cabin 
with their howls, and l)ears were frequently seen, 
deer and wild turkeys were also easily attainable by 
an\<)ne who could use a rifle, and fish were to lie 
had for the catching in the many streams witli 
which the country abounded, and it was not nec- 
essary to worry over fashion, for as long as a gar- 
ment remained whole, it was suitable for wear. 
Indians were numerous, and our subject was often 
permitted to see Iheni congregnte in tlidiisands to 



engage in the war dance. These questionable ad- 
vantages were however offset by the meagre 0]>por- 
tunities offered for acquiring an education, but 
where there is a will there is a way. and our sub- 
ject made up for many of the deficiencies of his 
early training liy reading all that he could lay 
hands on by the light of the hickory fire in the 
long winter evenings, and as papers became more 
common, he endeavored to keep himself tlior- 
ouglily well posted, not only with the issues of the 
day, but all current events. 

Mr. Ballard was married February !<•. I^i4(!, to 
Miss Huldah Ann Pheljjs, who was born October 
17, 1826. in the old Bay State. She is a daughter 
of Norman and Huldali ^Miranda (Harve\-) Phelps. 
Her parents emigrated to ^lichigan in 183(1. Tliis 
marriage was blest by the advent of one son into 
the family to whom they gave t\te name of Norman 
A., but who is now deceased. Our subject pur- 
ch.ised the farm upon which he now resides in 
1862, but did not locate upon it until 1868. His 
tract IS not a wide one, containing but forty acres, 
but it is kept in the most perfect order, and culti- 
vated to the greatest possible extent. There is upon 
it an elegant residence that is fitted out with the 
most modern conveniences, and furnished most 
beautifully, showing that the taste employed in 
bringing tlie various articles of decoration, use and 
rertu is of the most refined .and exquisite nature. 
On entering the home the visitor is impressed with 
a sense of the culture and refinement showji in all 
the appurtenances of the place rarely fctund in ru- 
ral homes. 

Mr. Ballard has served in various capacities in 
local offices of the township, having been Commis- 
sioner of Highw.ays for six years, Justice of the 
Peace for four years, and since 1863 he h.as been 
prominently identified with the (irange society, 
and has served in various capacities. He belongs to 
Grange No. 52, Augusta Township, having for sev- 
eral years been Master of the fraternity. He has 
also served as Secretary, and for a number of years 
has been Lecturer. Prior to coming here he W!is 
Treasurer of Pomona (irange, located at Ypsilanti. 
He is a member of the Masonic order, iind promi- 
nently known in the State as the writer of articles 
that most alily set forth the advantages pertaining 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



267 



to (irange societies, nor does he confine himself to 
this, l)iit discusses in the topics wliich he takes up, 
tiie leading issues of the day. He has much al>il- 
ity in metrical writing, and his poems are charac- 
terized hy a delicacy as well as strength. Politically 
Mr. Ballard is a Prohibitionist. He is a prominent 
and representative pioneer of the county. 

Oui suliject and his wife have ever been useful 
and interested members of society, and are now en- 
joying the consciousness of a life well si)ent. Fur 
a number of years Mrs. Ballard was before the pub- 
lic as a lecturer. The general subject of her dis- 
courses was liarmonical philosophy, and under this 
head she lectured on various topics, and ac- 
quired a pleasing reputation throughout the State. 
She was also frequently called upon in years past, 
to preach funeral sermons, and offer consolation 
to bereaved families. She is a lady of large and 
varied mental ability, and is a fit companion for 
lier talented husband. Both are highly esteemed 
.'ind respected members of their comraiuiity. They 
have numerous friends who wi.sh them many years 
of enjoyment of the good things of this life. They 
are known far and wide for their extended hospi- 
tality which is disi)ensed with a lavish hand. 

MASA FARRINGTON KINNK, A. M.. M. 
I)., now the oldest practicing physician of 
Ypsilanti, located here in IHoO, when few 
indications of the present pi'osperity of the 
city were apparent. He has since been closely iden- 
tified with the growth of the place and has watched 
with keen interest its progress until it is now num- 
Ijered among the most thriving and important 
cities of the State. By his success in his chosen 
work he has won an uxcellent reputation as a phy- 
sician and the goodwill of the citizens. His office, 
one of the finest in the county, is supplied with a 
full line of medical literature and every conven- 
ience for the prosecution of his studies and inves- 
tigations in the science of therapeutics. 

Dr. Kinne is a native of Vermont and was born 
at Waterford, April 13, 1H13. His father, Nathan 
Kinne. was bf)rn in Pomfret. Conn., and gicw to 



years of maturity in his iKilivH Stale, where he was 
married to Elizabeth Parringlon. He relnoved to 
A'ermont where he followed agricultural pureuits 
and lived to the good old age of ninety years. 
Among the younger generation he was highly es- 
teemed as one of the pioneers of that jjortion of the 
Green Mountain State, while as a friend and citi- 
zen, he was generous, ii])right and conscientious in 
tiie discharge of every duty. Unto him and his 
good wife nine children were born, of whom our 
subject was the seventh in order of birth. 

During the early years of Dr. Kinne our country 
was recovering from the commercial prostration 
resulting from the War of 1812. In every depart- 
ment of labor a new impetus was being felt and 
the nation was taking grand and sweeping strides 
towards its proud jjosition in the world. His father 
being comparatively well-to-do, our subject re- 
ceived the advantages of a good education and to 
say tliat he improved to the uttermost the oppor- 
tunities afforded him, is merely stating what actu- 
ally occurred. At an early age he manifested a 
desire for investigations in the sciences and the 
deeper lines of research. After taking a thorough 
course of study in Dartmouth College he w.as grad- 
uated from this well-known institution in the Class 
of '37, receiving the degree of A. B. 

For a time after he (inished his collegiate educa- 
tion our subject followed the profession of teaching, 
and with the money thus earned and carefully 
saved he was enabled to pursue the study of medi- 
cine in the college from which he had previoush' 
graduated. He is a graduate also of the medical 
department of that institution, after which in 1st 1 
he located for the practice of his profession in Ches- 
shire County, N. II. Prior to going there he was 
married in July 1840, to Miss Susan O. Smith, the 
ceremony which united their destinies being cele- 
brated at Hanover, N. M. Of this union three 
children were born, but only one now survives — 
Laura A., the wife of Lucius W. Mills, of M.ason. 
Mich. The wife and mother dii'il in ^ psilaiiti. in 
December, 18.09. 

After practicing his profession in New Hamp- 
shire for nine years. Dr. Kinne resolved to come 
West where in the rajjidly growing districts of 
Michigan he l)0|)ed to find a laiger field for his 



268 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



practiee. Nor has he been disappointed in liis ex- 
pectation. In 1850 he came to this place, then a 
small village, with hare and uninviting surround- 
ings. During the fall after his arrival the founda- 
tion of Union School was laid, and little liy little 
other important improvements were made which 
affected the well being of the community. In l.H.'i 1 
Dr. Kinne was President of the Town Council, and 
under his able administration much was done to 
benefit the place and attract hither a desirable 
class of settlers. 

Upon coming to Ypsilanti the Doctor located on 
the corner of Cross and Adams Streets, where he 
bought property and has since lived. For forty- 
one years he has made his home at this same cor- 
ner; he came here in the prime of a vigorous man- 
hood and in the same pleasant iiome he is passing 
4,he declining days of a well spent life. Though 
almost four-score years old, he is hale and hearty, 
and his excellent preservation of the faculties of 
body and mind he owes in no small measure to 
his temperate habits. He has alw.avs been consid- 
ered one of the best physicians in the county and 
has been called in consultation in critical cases even 
lieyond the limits of this section of country. For 
many 3-ears he has been a member of the County 
Medical Society, the State Medical Society, and 
the National Medical Association. He h.as never 
taken an active part in political matters, finding a 
sufficient outlet for his energies in the duties of 
his profession and the pleasure of domestic ties. 
The cause of education has ever found in liim a 
warm friend and his time and abilities have been 
cheerfully given to the protnoticm of educational 
facilities. He served as a member of the School 
Board for nine years and rendered efficient service 
in advancing the standard of education. 

On April 3, 1862, the interesting cerenxmy w.as 
performed which united in marriage Dr. Kinne and 
Mi-s. Jennie S. Bristol, who was then residing in 
Jonesville, Mich. Mrs. Dr. Kinne was born in 
Scottsville, N. Y., but came to this State when 
quite young. She and the Doctor sustained a 
severe bereavement in the death of one of their 
children, when nine 3'ears old. The three who 
survive are named — Florence B., (ienevicve and 
Kdmond P. The daughters are talented Miid .'ic- 



complished young ladies who have received the 
degree of Bachelor of Arts in the I'ni versify of 
Michigan, while the son, a bright and promising 
lad of fifteen years, is still in school. The various 
menibei-s of the family find a religious home within 
the Presbyterian Church, and are always ready to 
promote the various benevolent enterprises which 
appeal to their charity. 



X 



FONHAHD (rinNEn, dealer in boots and 
shoes and having one of the fine,st establish- 
I — ^\ ments of the kind in the city of Ann Arltor, 
was born in the village of Windecken, near Frank- 
furt, (iermany, December lo, 183;"). He is the son 
of Philip and Caroline (Osins) Gruner. The father 
emigrated to the United States in 18,');") and still 
survives, the proprietor of a farm in Washtenaw 
County, whereon the mother died in 1870. Their 
family comprised eleven children, of whom our 
subject is the eldest, but of these only three are 
now living. One brother, (ieorge. gave up his life 
in the late war. 

The boyhood and school days of Leonhard 
(iruner were passed in his native country, remain- 
ing there until eighteen years of age. Quitting 
school at the age of fourteen he began clerking lu 
a store and in 1854 emigrated to the United States, 
landing in New York City. Tlience he came 
direct to Fredonia, this county, where he spent his 
first winter in this country. In 1856 he came to 
Ann Arbor and was employed as a clerk by Will- 
iam S. JIaynard, with whom he remained for a 
time. He afterward clerked for Stebbins ik AYilson 
and then was with Charles Thompson, a dry-goods 
merchant, in all about ten years in the same capa- 
city, lie then formed a partnership with A. 1). 
Seyler, under the firm name of Seyler & Gruner, 
and embarked in the boot and shoe business and 
was very successful in the venture. The partner- 
shi|) lasted for several years and on Ijeing dissolved 
the stock was divided, our subject continuing in 
the boot and shoe trade, his present store being at 
No. X. S. Main Street, wheie he carries a larije and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



269 



well-selected stuck of foot coverings from the liest 
Eastern manufacturers. JMr. firuner has a large 
acquaintance in the city and this in connection 
with ills gentlenianly ways of dealing has given 
him control of .1 line Imsincss. Ifis store room is 
20x90 feet in dimensions and arianged with great 
nicety and also witli an eye to convenience. 

Mr. (iruner was married in 1859 to Miss Fanny 
Osius, of Freedom, this county. She is a native of 
Michigan and a daughter of William Osius, Ks(i. 
Our subject and his wife are the parents of four 
children — two living, Emily and Leo, tlie last 
named a clerk in his fatiier's store. Mr. Gruner is 
a member of the School Board and has been Ti'us- 
tee of the same for a number of years. He is also 
Vice-President and Director of the Michigan Fur- 
niture Company and a Director in the Ann Arljor 
Savings Bank. He has a beautiful home located 
at No. 49 N. Main Street. The residence is well 
built and attractive, and the surroundings are most 
pleasing. Within the home is seen all the grace 
and delicacy which the refined taste of a cultured 
woman is callable of giving. 

"Vf^lLLIOTT eV' SIIUTTS. The gentlemen whose 
hs«j names are quoted above are the proprietors 
:f' — --^ " of the Occidental Hotel and of the Ypsi- 
lanti Sanitarium. This last named establishment 
was first opened January 10, 1884, and continued 
at that time for about two years, giving sixteen 
hundred baths tlie first year. While Mr. F^lliott is 
the superintendent of the Sanitarium, Mr. Shutts 
assumes the management of the Occidental llotei 
with which the Sanitarium is connected. That 
the mineral waters compare favorably with those 
of well-known mineral springs in other parts of 
the United States, has been a long established fact 
with which Mr. Elliott was familiar, and realizing 
tlie benefits to the city of a properly conducted 
Sanitarium, a suljscription was raised among the 
lousiness men for the work of refitting the plant, 
which included the cleansing and repacking of the 
Moorman well. Already the result Ims lieen grati- 
fying, as many from a distance have been l)ene- 



fited by the treatment here. The establishment in 
itself is attractive and comfortable, there being 
new furniture, bedding, linen and appliances and 
skilled attendants, whose life work has been the 
care of such patients as the waters of this well are 
adapted to. The Sanitarium comprises forty large, 
well-ventilated bathrooms, with elegant parlors for 
ladies and gentlemen, smoking and reading rooms 
and all modern conveniences. 

Tlie entire building is heated Ijy steam and each 
room is connected with the office by electric bells. 
Tiie establishment is located in the heart of the 
city and adjoining the principal hotel. A careful 
analysis of the waters that are here used, made 
by one of the most skilled chemists in the State, 
shows the properties to be numerous and such as 
would benefit a great number of people. Because 
of these baths the name of this beautiful town is 
getting to be as famous as that of Saratoga, N. Y., 
and deservedly so. The curative properties of the 
waters here found aie said by Mr. W. D. St. Clair, 
formerly of the Chicago Times to far excel any 
waters on earth. He goes on to say that he makes 
this assertion advisedly as he has visited most of 
the springs in F^urope and America for health pur- 
))oses. ••Suffering from severe throat and stomach 
trouble in 1882, I spent six weeks at Ems, Ger- 
many, receiving little if any benefit, either from 
the waters there or from medical treatment, being 
under the care of some of the most eminent physi- 
cians, including Dr. Vulert of Geneva, Switzerland. 
Coming back after a year's search for health, 
through accident I found these waters, tested their 
curative properties and was thoroughly cured in 
less than half the time spent in F>urope. 

"This winter just passed I had a very severe at- 
tack of the grip, which left me with rheumatic 
troubles in various parts of my body. It being too 
cohl to go to Ypsilanti I returned to 'Happy 
Woods." La., my winter home from Chicago, 
where I had been vn business and where I had con- 
tracted a severe cold, thinking that the sun would 
iliive it away, but I found it would not, not even 
with the help of some of the ablest physicians of 
New Orleans. I went to Abitha Springs, Miss., be- 
ing advised to do so liy a couple of friends, Mr. 
Page Baker, owner and publisher of the Times- 



270 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Democnit, and Judge O. B. Sansun, both of New 
Orleans. I staid but a very short time there, being 
fully impressed that Hot Springs. Ark., was the 
best place for rheumatie and neuralgic troubles. I 
remained six weeks at the Park Hotel under the 
care part of the time of the two greatest doctors 
on earth for those diseases — Drs. Garnett and 
(ireenway. My case was not helped. From there 
1 went to 'Happy Woods,' La., for it was said by 
many that relief would come as it often did on re- 
turning home, but it did not. I hastened to Ypsi- 
lanti and commenced taking baths in the bath- 
house connected with the Occidental Hotel, and 
without medical attention I am happy to say that 
after a very short period I am nearly well." 

AVells have been discovered in various portif)ns 
of the United States, having powerful calybeate 
and mineral properties to which the germs of var- 
ious diseases succumb. Undoubtedly that which 
Ypsilanti boasts is of exceptional virtue and for 
nervous troubles and skin diseases particularly is 
peculiarly beneticial. 



^-ir- 



m^'^<B 



"Xl^^ ox. SAMUEL (i. IVKS. The dignified and 
if)^] gentlemanly President of the Chelsea Sav- 
A^ ings Bank and a man who enjoys the con- 
((®; fideuce and respect of all in the beautiful 
little city, which is located most advantageously 
on the Michigan Central Road and commands a 
large extent of most beautiful farming land that is 
well watered and drained, is he whose name is at 
the head of this sketch. He is a native of Lansing, 
Tompkins Country, N. Y., and was born December 
21, 1812, being a son of Orrin and Mary (Gibbs) 
Ives, natives of the Empire State. The father en- 
gaged in farming, although he had the advantage 
of a trade, which was that of a boot and shoe m.aker. 
In 1837 he removed to Michig.an and settled in 
Livingston County, where he spent the remainder 
of his life, his decease occurring al)0ut 18.58. 

Our subject's immediate progenitor was one of 
the men whow.as ever read3' to fight for home and 
country; lie was in the AVar of 1812 and was a 
l()\al and faithful subject of the I'nion, A .lack- 



sonian Democrat in his political belief, in his 
church relations he worshiped with the believers in 
the simple and unpretentious creed and customs of 
the early Methodists. He and his wife were the 
[larents of nine children whose names are as fol- 
lows: Samuel G.. our sul)ject; Elizabeth .lane. B. I., 
Almira, William H., Cynthia, Darius and .Simeon. 
Lucy married Samuel Holaday; the Rev. B. I.Ives 
is a noted divine of New Y^ork City. He has dedi- 
cated more churches than any other man, not only 
li-aveling throughout America but lieing in de- 
mand in Canada. 

Our subject's paternal grandsire was Josiahlves, 
a native of the (Quaker State, although he lived 
the greater part of his life in New York and was 
there engaged in farming. He was a man of high 
moral character and principles and a truly Christian 
gentleman, taking an active part in church matters. 
Our subject's mother was a daughter of Samuel and 
Elizal)et.h (Holmes) Gibbs, natives of New Y'ork; 
the former there was a prominent man and held 
various ofHces for more than forty j'ears. He was 
the head of a large family, ten children having 
been welcomed to the fireside. He, too, was a 
Jacksonian Democrat, and in his per.soual life lived 
the jjurest Christian principles. 

Samuel G. Ives was reared a farmer and at fif- 
teen years of age, after assimilating a fair amount 
of learning and a large amount of mischief in the 
district schools of his native pl.aee, he started out 
in life for himself, working out by the mouth for 
seven years. During this time he succeeded in lay- 
ing up some money and became the owner of a 
horse, harness and buggy. In 183.5 he traded the.se 
possessions for eighty acres of land in the wilds of 
Michigan, Livingston County, near where Unadilla 
now stands. He was at that time twenty-four 
years of age, leaving his native State unhampered 
liy family obligations and Itlessed with health. 
Entering the woods he found his laud and soon 
after traded for a tract two miles lieyond any road. 
At that time there was not a house at Lansing and 
the surrounding country was a wilderness. Such 
an unpromising condition of affairs was a severe 
test to a man's belief in the future of the country. 

Locating his land our subject immediately cut 
down some trees and built a log house, setting 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



271 



about improving his eighty acres by cutting off 
tlie timber and burning and clearing his land. 
Later in life, determining tliat he would be hai)|)iei' 
and better for a congenial helpmate and compan- 
ion, he induced Louisa lledden to become his bride. 
She was a New Yorker by biitli and education and 
the daughter of the lion. .Tusiali and Hannah 
(Belnapp) Hedden. lie lirought his young bride 
to their home in the Michigan wilderness, and to- 
gether they began life in the log house, and he 
found in her a willing and loving companion to 
meet with him the hardships of pioneer life. They 
have lived to see the wilderness blossom as the 
rose; happy homes spring up where before was only 
a playground for bears and deer, and they them- 
selves have prospered and are the owners of a 
beautiful home. 

Our subject added piece after piece of land to 
his eighty acres until he was the possessor of a 
well-improved farm ccmtaining nearly a section of 
land. The little log house gave way to a beauti- 
f\il lirick residence which was enlivened by the 
l)resence of nine merry children. They did not, 
however, escape trouble, for sickness visited the 
home and Mrs. Ives was called to her eternal rest 
in 1871. Of the children who survive the follow- 
ing are the names; Lucius H., Frank E., Josie, 
Homer and Jenny. The first-named was united in 
marriage to Miss Elizabeth Cowan and is the 
father of two children — Frank and Winnie. He 
is now engaged in farming at Mason, this State; 
Frank E. mai-ried Mary Bird and also has two 
children — ISIabel and Lucius; they reside at the 
old homestead; .Tosie is now Mrs. Watts, of Dan- 
ville, this State; Homer married Katie (iodfrey and 
is the father of four children — Wirt (1., Edna, 
.lenny and Hoy; .lenny married Jlr. Parker and is 
a resident of Chelsea. The deceased are Horatio 
and Louisa, who was the wife of John Watson. 

Our subject w.as again married, his bride being 
Mrs. Mary E. Duncan, of Livingston County, this 
State, and a daughter of John and Margaret 
(Davenport) Watson, natives of New York; the 
former was a cooper by trade and also farmer, 
coming to Michigan in 1844 and .settling in Living- 
ston County, and Mr. Watson there died. The 
niother passed away in her native State. They 



were the parents of three children: Jane, Mrs. Liv- 
ermore; Mary E.. the wife of our subject, and Mar- 
garet who married Willis Atkins. 

The Hon. Samuel Ives is well known tiiroughout 
the State. He has been elected twice to the State 
Legislature from Livingston County, l)Ut .serve(i 
three times, there being a special session during 
his term of ottice. He was appointed State Elector 
at the second election of Gen. Grant. He has also 
served as President of the Village Board. He has 
held the office of Justice of the Peace for eighteen 
years .and has been associated with the highest 
State officials in public matters. The original of 
our sketch supithed the Asylum farm of three 
hundred .acres, of which he h.ad charge, with horses, 
cattle and sheep. He is a large landowner in vari- 
ous parts of Michigan and is connected with many 
enterprises. He came to Chelsea in 1871 and with 
Mr. Glazier founded the State Savings Bank in 
this city, and he has since been its President. Out- 
side of his banking business our subject loans 
money and deals in real estate. He is a Republican 
in his political belief and with his wife worships 
with the Methodist Episcopal denomination. He 
has taken an active i)art in church matters for 
several years and is now Steward, Class-Leader 
and Trustee. 

LINTON W. MEAD, .M. I). The medical 
^^-- profession in Ypsilanti is represented by a 
J^. number of skillful practitioners, who have 
an extended knowledge of therapeutics, skill in 
their use and an enviable reputation as phj-sic- 
ians of .ability. Prominent among them is Dr. 
Mead, who in 1888 removed hither from Dundee 
for the two-fold purpose of educating his children 
and having a larger field for practice. A native of 
Candor, N. Y., he was born August 28, 1M36. and 
is the son of William B. and Arville (Winslow) 
Mead. The father, whose birth occurred July .3, 
1 79.5. was the first white child born in the township 
of Candor, Tioga County, N. Y. 

The paternal grandfather i)f our subject. William 
Bates Mead, was a native of \'ermena Township. Vt. 



272 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



■ Not long after the close of the Revolutionary War 
lie emigrated to New York State, the removal being 
made overland with an ox-team. When lie reached 
Tioga County the surrounding eounti'v was a 
wilderness, inhabited only by wild animals and 
wilder savages. Grandfather Mead, immediately 
after arriving in the Empire State selected a loca- 
tion, then felled a large pine tree from which he 
[cjeled the bark and made a place for himself and 
liis wife to sleep until he could build a shanty. 
Three weeks were passed in this ))rinieval fashion 
and then the little family removed into the hut 
which the father had prepared for them. On one 
occasion when the father of our subject Wiis an in- 
fant, a l)ear came into the cabin and ate all the 
sup|>er and doubtless had his appetite not been 
satisfied in this way he would have eaten the bal)e. 
(irandfather Mead being away at the time. IJriiiii 
escaped unmolested. 

At the time the grandfather of our subject came 
from Vermont to New York he brought with him 
all his household goods and ^2,200 in goal. Two 
sharpers, learning that he had the money in liis 
possession, followedhim pretending to l)e the own- 
ers of the land, and in that way he was roijbed of 
his entire capital. Undaunted by this misfortune, 
he once more bravely started out to repair his for- 
tune and took up a large tract of land iu the Em- 
pire .State. It was amid such pioneer scenes as 
these that the father of our subject grew to man- 
hood, and as was almost invariably- the case with 
lads on the frontier, he was strong and stalwart, 
well titted to bear his part in subduing the rude 
forces of nature. He had a tender filial love for 
liis parents, of whom he took care until they were 
called from the troubles and sorrows of this world 
to eternal rest altove. Prior to their decease they 
aciompanied him West in 1837, stopping at Con- 
iieaut, Ohio, and tiiere they died within three weeks 
of each other. 

After burying his i)arents the father proceeded to 
Michigan, and in Byron Townshii), (Jene.see 
County, he took up four lots of land and engaged 
in farming. and carpentry. lie cleared his land 
and remained in that country two years, coming 
thence to Salem, AVashlenaw County. Here he 
opfrated as farmer for thirty years, becoming well 



known as a practical agriculturist and an honorable 
citizen. When old age came upon him he retired 
from the more active duties of life and quietly 
awaited the summons of death, which came to him 
January 14, 1876. His widow still survives at the 
age of ninety years, and makes her home witli her 
children. 

Our subject is one of eight children, as follows: 
Caroline, wife of Charles Hamillou of this county; 
Almond F., a resident of Oscoda, this State; Uiana 
P., wlio died January 22, 1891 ; Lucy J.; our subject; 
William R., also a physician in Ypsilanti; Pearlette; 
and Emily E., formerly the wife of John Thomas 
of Hamburg, Mich., but now deceased. The father 
of tills family was a member of the Free Will Bap- 
tist Church in the East, but here united with the 
Presliyterian Church. He served his township as 
Supervisor and Clerk, and was in other ways con- 
nected with tiie growth of Salem Township. 

In Salem and Ann Arbor our subject gained a 
inactical education, and having resolved to become 
a physician, he began the study of medicine upon 
the homestead, and later entered the medical 
department of the University of Michigan. He first 
followed the school of homeopathy, but becoming 
dissatisfied with it t(K>k up a regular cour.se of 
study with the faculty of the medical department 
of the University of iSIichigan, and later studied at 
Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated in 187;"). 
Equipped with a thorough theoretical knowledge 
of medicine he at once located at Dundee, Mich., 
and to the lessons gleaned in college added the 
still more important knowledge learned in the 
school of experience. He gained a large and lucra- 
tive practice in Dundee, having quite an extensive 
country ride, and becoming highly prized for his 
skill in difficult cases. 

]n domestic pleasure the Doctor has found an 
agreeable diversion from the many duties of his 
profession. He has a cheerful and efficient hel])- 
mate in his wife, a lady whose refinement has drawn 
around her a large circle of friends, and whose 
noble characteristics are no less conspicuous iu the 
social circles of the community than in her own 
home, surrounded by her loved ones. She bore the 
maiden name of iMary E. Clizbe. and was born 
October 22, 1842. in <^uincv. Micli., wliere lier f;i- 




O^'O. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



27.5 



ther was a farmer. She became the wife of our 
subject in Redford Township, Wayne County, 
November 20, 1866, and they liave throe children: 
Elsworth C, Krank M. and William C. The eldest 
son was graduated from the Dundee High School 
in 188!(. and two }'ears later from the State Normal 
School; the other children are also receiving good 
educations .and are being fitted for responsible 
positions in the world. 

In his religious belief Di'. JNIead is in symijathy 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he 
belonged in his old home, lie was in youth offered 
a free education if he would enter the ministry and 
this he greatly desired to do but w.as prevented by 
circumstances. During the Civil War he enlisted, 
but upon examination was rejected on account of 
lung trouble. His habits are temperate, he does 
not use tob.acco, never has entered a saloon for the 
purpose of drinking, and is a strict observer of the 
Sabl)ath day. The greatest pleasures of his life he 
finds in his own home circle and invariably spends 
the evenings by the domestic fireside unless called 
out professionally. 



^OHN WAGNER. This well-known and 
prosperous German-American citizen of 
Ann Arbor, has now retired from his trade 
as a blacksmith and is spending his later 
years in comfort and in the enjoyment of the result 
of his earlier labors. He was born in Wittenljerg, 
Germany, December 29, 1809, his parents. .Joseph 
and Anna (Schairer) Wagner, being also natives of 
the same kingdom. His father was a carpenter by 
trade and had followed that calling from the time 
he was twelve years old. 

.lohn W.agner was the eldest in a large family of 
ten children, three of whom are now living. The 
common schools furnished his education up to the 
age of fourteen years at which time he left home 
and entered upon an apprenticeship to the black- 
smith's trade on the conclusion of which he began 
traveling as a journeyman at his trade. In 1836 
lie emigrated to America and the following year lie 



came to Ann Arbor and here engaged in working 
for other parties for three years. In 1840 he opened 
a blacksmith shop on his own account, doing gen- 
eral lilacksmithing and thus continued until 1867 
when he retired from the business, since which 
time he has led a quiet life. 

The marriage of Mr. Wagner in 1839 gave him a 
wortliy helpmate in the person of Miss Christina 
ScheV)el of Ann Arbor, Mich., a native of Witten- 
berg, like himself. To this union have been born 
six children, namely: Catherine and .lohn are de- 
ceased; Ered is a merchant in Pleasanton, Kan.; 
Godfrey is a hardware merchant of Chicago; Mary 
wife of Heniy .1. Mann, bookkeeper for Mack Ar 
Schmid, and L<^uise wliodiedat the .age of twenty- 
one years. 

Mrs. Wagner was called from earth's activities 
in 1890 in the seventy-eighth year of her age. She 
was an earnest and devoted member of the Bethle- 
hem Lutheran Church; Mr. Wagner is also a mem- 
ber of the same church and for many years has 
served as one of its Trustees. The pleasant home 
of this estimable old gentleman is at No. 17 West 
Washington Street, at the corner of Ashley, and 
there he is enjoying the r(!St and lepose which be- 
come his years and his life work. 

On the opposite page is presented a portrait of 
Mr. Wagner, which will perpetuate his features 
after he shall have cntcied into his final rest. 



'S^ IIGENE B. EORl). Tliis p<.i.ular I'oslinaster 
11^ of York was born in this townshii) Novem- 
[ V — --^ ber 1, 1848 and is a son of William and 
Almira (Waugh) Eord. His father was from 
Massiichusetts .and his mother from New York, the 
former Ijeing by occupation a farmer. Our subject 
resided on a farm till he was eighteen years of age, 
attending the district school of York Township. 
He then set out for the Saginaw ^'alley, where he 
engaged in the lumber business, after which he went 
to Kalamazoo, Mich., where he learned the car- 
penter's trade at which he worked for three years, 
and then engaged himself to work for B. S. Will- 



276 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Lulls (ir Co., of that lit \ . I Ic tlieii engaged for two 
years in putting up mills niid was in Ohio with the 
general agent earrying on work in this line. lie 
■followed til is liusincss for a term uf se\en years 
and returned here in IHSl. 

Mr. Ford now took the niauageiuenl of this store 
for his brother. J. H. Ford, of .Milan, and eon- 
ducted the business for live years after wliich lie 
bought him out and began business for himself. 
lie conducts a general store and handles almost 
everything used in the household or on a farm, 
and as it is the only store in the village he has a 
fine trade throughout the entire township. 

Mr. Ford was married, April 1«, IH7(], to Electa 
Lounsbiiry, of York, Mich., a daughter of H. P. 
Lounsbury. To them have been granted one 
child — Roy who was born in March, 1881. Besides 
this living child a son, Roscoe, wiis born who died 
April 12, 1881 when about two years old. _ In 
jKilitics onr subject is a Rej)ul)lican and was School 
Inspector for a term of two years and has also 
acted as School Assessor of his district. He is a 
lover of good schools and ever promotes in every 
way the educational interests of the township. For 
eight years past he has acted as Postmaster of this 
office and still continues so to do. Socially he is 
a member of the Masonic rrateniity and belongs 
to Milan Lodge, No. 313. 






f, RA WATERBURY. The siiirit of a pure and 
ill noble life burned within the earthly habitation 
iWs of clay of the man of whom wc write and 
when the soul took its flight to purer regions and 
a lictter state, none mourned as did those who knew 
him best. The decease of Mr. Waterliury, formerly 
a leading citizen of Ypsilanti Township, was a 
calamity to the district which he liv^ed and the sor- 
row for his loss was not confined to his immediate 
family, but to Ihe township at large. lie w<as a 
native of Rensselaer County, X. Y., where he was 
born April 23, 180.5. He wjis the .son of Jonathan 
and Sally (Travis) Waterbury. The AYaterbury 
family were of English origin, three brothers hav- 
ing emigrated to America becau.se of religious per- 



secution in theii' own country. From one of these 
descended him of wliom we write. 

The maternal grandfather of our subject, .lacob 
Travis, w.as a Revolutionary soldier and bore the 
honorable badge of service to his country of a 
sleeve that was empty, lie of whom we write re- 
mained in his native place until the year of his 
majority and then removed to Onondaga Count}', 
\. Y. This was in 1826. He there resided for a 
nuinlier of years but in 1842 removed to Living- 
ston County, X. Y., where he also remained for 
some time. He was married, October 2, 1834, to 
!Miss Bltney. who was a native of the Empire State. 
Her natal day was .lune 12, 1812, and she was a 
daughter of .lohn and Sarah (Finch) Blane}'. It 
is .said that her father was a soldier in the War of 
1812. She was reared to maturity in her native 
State. 

()ursul)ject and his wife were the parents of 
four children, three of whom are living at the pre- 
sent time. They are .John, Elvira and .lennette. 
With his family .and his aged mother in the spring 
of 1854, our subject emigrated to Washtenaw 
Countv. this State, and after residing in warious 
jilaces he located on the farm which his daughter 
now occupies on section 23, Ypsilanti Township 
and there lived until his demise, March 12, 1886. 
His wife died some years earlier than he, p.issing 
away August 3, 1879. 

The acquirements of our subject in an educa- 
tional way were not extensive. He was naturally, 
however, a thoughtful man of originality and of 
good judgment. He was well informed and a 
practical business man. For some years after his 
advent into this t'oiinty he engaged in money 
lending and later on in life gave himself up to 
the enjoyment of rural existence upon his pre- 
sent farm. Politically he was a stanch Rci)iiblic!in 
and during the war a strong Union man to whom 
the principles of abolition were dear. 

In his death tlie county lost (ine of her best 
citizens and l)usine.'<s men. Mr. \\'aterbury's 
daughter resides upon the home farm which com- 
prises one hundred and sixteen acres of good land, 
bearing excellent improvements. The Misses 
Waterbury have in their posse.s.sion a treasured 
relic of Ucvolutionarv time, belonging to an 



¥(mrBAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



277 



ancestor. It is an old fashioned powder horn, 
finely mounted. It is also said to have been car- 
ried in the French and Indian War. The sisters 
who are now the proprietoi's of tiie farm are both 
members of the Presbyterian Church and are both 
identified with the missionary work. The Water- 
liiiry family is recogniized as among the prominent 
people of Washtenaw County and tiie writer takes 
pleasure in chronicling the history of s(> prominent 
a man and one so worthy as he whose name is 
above. 



([L ENRY STl INI PEN III' SEN. Prominent in 
lirjl) social, agricultural .and chmvh circles is the 
JW^ family represented by the name at the head 
(^) of this paragraph which has long been 
identified with all movements of importance in 
this part of Washtenaw County. Here our subject 
was born August 1.5, 1843,-in Ypsilanti Township, 
where he makes his home on section 25. His father, 
Ilcnry Stumpenhusen, was a native of Hanover, 
Ciermany, and the mother, Catherine Keelan, was 
born in Ireland. The father came from the old 
country in 1836 and became one of the early pio- 
neers of Ypsilanti Townsliip and did a great deal 
of pioneer work. He recounts with pride that he 
chopped the timber from the site where the State 
Normal School now stands. He had received a 
fair German education which he put to practical 
uses through life. Two of his seven .children are 
now living — our suliject and his sister Margaret 
E., wife of Sumner Damon. 

The father of this family passed from earth 
Eebruary 22, 1883, and w.as long mourned as a 
public-spirited .and highly v.alued citizen of the 
county. He was Democratic in his political affilia- 
tions .and highly interested not only in national 
.affairs but in local movements. When he first came 
here there w.as but one house between Rawsonville 
and Ypsilanti .and settlers were few and far between. 
The mother of our subject died (Jctober 15, 1888, 
and is well remembered as a pioneer woman of un- 
d.aunted courage and true-hearted faitlifulness. 



They were connected with the Lutheran ('lunch 
and were active workers therein. 

The boyhood days of Henry Stumpenliusen weri' 
spent in this county, and at nine years of age he 
came with his parents' to the farm wliere lie now 
lives, which h.as ever since been his home. His 
education was first taken in the district schools of 
the township and he then passed some three years 
in the Union schools of Ypsilanti, after which he 
taught for four terms but h.as devoted most of his 
life to farming and stock-raising. He availed him- 
self thoroughly of his opportunities for education 
and made his years of teaching a period of self- 
education so that he became a man of broad views 
and unusual practical knowledge. 

Our subject was married October 1(5, 1873, to 
Florence C. Dansingburg, a native of Augusta 
Township, this county. She was born on Christ- 
mas Day, 1851, and her parents, Jacob and Char- 
lotte (Horton) Dansingburg, who are now deceased, 
were early settlers of Augusta Township. Three 
children lifive cheered their liome. Alma V., II. Lee, 
and Bertha, wlio has passed to the other life. Our 
subject is a man of genuine popularity, especially 
in tlie ranks of the Democratic party, and h.as twice 
been made the candidate for the office of Super- 
visor, l>ut as the township is largely Republican 
his run was an unsuccessful one. He is a mem- 
ber of the Grange in Augusta Townshi|) and is 
now an overseer of the lodge. 

Mrs. Stumpenhusen is a devout member of tlie 
Methodist Episcopal Church .and a woman of use- 
fulness in the community. Her father .settled in 
Augusta Township in 1839 and w.as the originator 
of a large family. His nine children who are now 
living are; (ieorge who lives in Kansas; Peter, in 
Minnesota; Ann, the wife of AVilliam Swartout, of 
Ovid, N. Y.; Ellen, l\Irs. Thomas Talladay. of .Au- 
gusta Township; Melinda, wife of Will.am C. White, 
of Fliiit; jNIrs. Stumpenhusen; Thei'on .J., in JMinne- 
apolis; Lee L., of Rochester, Minn., and Jennie, 
wife of F. J. Fletcher in Ypsilanti Townsliip. 

Our suliject and his wife take an active part in 
all social matters and have a large circle of friends. 
Their handsome farm of two hundred and sixt.\- 
acres is well cultivated and extremely productive 
and bears the marks of a svstematic ancl thorough 



278 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



hand. Mi>. Stiimi)enliusen was bereaved bj^ the 
deatli of lier father, in January, 1881, and her 
mother psussed away during June of the same year. 
The broad influence wliich i.>< exercised by this 
worthy couple is ever given on tlie .side of right, 
and the ability and .success which lias been shown 
li\' them is rejoiced in by all whi) know them. 









II.VULKS STONE, deceased. It is witli true 
interest that the biographer takes up his pen 
to speak of those worthy citizens whose ac- 
tive lives have ceased on earth but whose influence 
extends still and will continue to extend among 
all who knew them. Our subject who was born 
April 2. 1«13. in Oxford, England, was a son of 
William and .Sarah Stone; he was reared in his na- 
tive country. 

From the age of fourteen until lie was twenty 
years old he was bound out as an apprentice to a 
l)oot and .shoe milker, and he then emigrated with 
his master to America, taking pa.ssage at London 
in a sailing-vessel and spending .seven weeks upon 
the ocean. 

This vessel made port at New York City and the 
travelers came to a point near Rochester where 
they continued for some five years. During the 
first year of his sojourn in this country the young 
man worked as a farm hand, and then for four 
years was employed at his trade. He then returned 
on a visit to his native country where he spent 
several months, and upon his return to America 
he came to Ypsilanti where he found employment 
in the manufacturing department of the boot and 
shoe house of Walter B. Hewitt, and during most 
of the time that he remained with this gentleman 
he acted as Jiis foreman. He fin.all}- gave up this 
line of work and settled upon the farm whicii is 
now occupied by his daughter and widow, making 
his home there from 18.5.') until his death, which 
occurred October 22, 1890. 

The first marriage of Mr. Stone united him with 
Maiy Hill. This union took place May t!, 1841, 
and resulti'(l in the birth of four children, only 
one of whom is surviving — Sarah S. This wife 



died February 15, 1862, and on the 14th of Janu- 
ary, 1867, Mr. Stone was a second time married, 
taking as his wife Ninetta Gross, who was born 
December .5, 1827, in Otsego County, N. Y. She 
is a daughter of Daniel and Anne Gross, the former 
l)eing a native of New York and the mother of 
.Massachusetts. During the last years of the life of 
Mr. Stone he engaged in farming and at the time 
of his decease he left his family a fine estate of one 
hundred and seventy acres which he had accumu- 
lated b\- hard labor, penseverance and enterprise, .as 
he had practically no means when he came to this 
country. 

Our subject was a man of fairly good education 
and he had all through life pui'sued a cour.se of 
.systematic reading jtnd thus added greatly to his 
intelligence and breadth of view. He was a Dem- 
ocrat in his political views and a public spirited 
citizen and his death entailed a serious loss to the 
community, as he w.as a law-abiding member of 
society and a strong advocate of temperance and 
all moral reforms. He was well known for his in- 
tegrity and honesty in business, and was pre-emi- 
nently a kind father and husband. His religious 
connection was with the Episcopal Church and his 
honoraVile Christian character reflected truly the 
faith wliich he emliiaced. 



1^*^ 




VERETT SHAW, who was l)orn in York 
Township, this count}-, on July 24, 1842, is 
a son of Robert and Eliza (Clark) Shaw. 
His father was bom in England and came to 
America in 1830 and his mother had her birth and 
training in Massachusetts but came West before 
meeting and marrying JMr. Shaw. Our subject re- 
ceived onl}' a district-school education but con- 
tinue! attending school until he reached the age 
of twenty years, in the meanwhile assisting his 
father upon the farm. 

The young man began life for himself by work- 
ing out for neighboring farmers in this county, 
and thus continued for four or five years, after 
which lie returned home and remained with his 
parents for five or six years, assisting his father in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



the management of a large tract of land wliicii lie 
purchased. Nothing in the life Mr. Shaw is of 
more importance than the beginning of his domes- 
tic life. His marriage witii Susan Moreiiousc, of 
Flint, (ienesee County, was celebrated March 16, 
1K71. She is a daughter of Joseph D. Morehouse, 
a shoemaker, and has a family of five children, 
namely: Florence G., Morrice E., Abbie E., Carl 
M., and Harry G., all of whom are at home with 
their parents. 

Both of the parents of our subject died in 1890. 
Everett Shaw came on to this farm where he now 
lives in .June, 1871, and has here devoted himself 
exclusively to farming, raising graded stock and 
carrying on mixed farming upon this line estate 
of one hundred acres, all of which is in .an excel- 
lent state of cultivation. In his political prefer- 
ence he is a Republican Init has never souglit office 
of any kind. 

ON. .TAMES L. LOWDEX. Among the 
prominent and influential citizens of Wash- 
tenaw County, we take pleasure in intro- 
ducing to our readers the Hon. .Tames h. 
Lowden, the distinguished and po[)ular Represent- 
ative from the Second District of Washtenaw 
County and a resident on section 31, Ypsilanti 
Township. He is now serving his second term in 
the legislature and his measures and tactics adopted 
in a public capacity have been so satisfactory not 
only to his constituents but to the people at large 
whom he represents, that he bids fair to be again 
the successful candidate for the office. Mr. Low- 
den is a native of Washtenaw County, having 
been T)orn .Tuly 30, 1840, and as a lad was reared 
on the home farm whereon he now resides. 

The original of our sketch is a son of .Tames Tv. 
and Rachel (Lyon) I^owden, the former a native 
of New York and the latter of New .Jersey. They 
settled upim the homestead in 1834 and iTic 
present beautiful farm which our subject now 
owns and resides upon w.as at that time a dense 
woods. The tract originally comprised one hun- 
dred and sixty .acres of land, which .lames Iv. \j>\v- 



den, Sr., purchased. It was his life work to make 
this a suitable and comfortable home for his family 
and to give to his children all the advantages 
possible. He of whom we write is one of nine 
children of whom the following still survive: 
William, Martha .1., Elinor C, Harriet and .Tames 
h. Martha is now the wife of F. A. Graves; 
Elinor married P. D. Rogers; Harriet is the wife of 
Morgan ^'an(ieison. The father of the family 
died in 1881, the mother preceding him by 
several years, her decease having taken place in 
1874. They were representative pioneers and ex- 
perienced the hardshi])s and i)leasures of early 
settlement. Our subject's father was a Democrat 
in his political standing. 

Representative Lowden was reared to nianliood 
amid scenes of pioneer life and has devoted his 
attention chiefly to .agricultural pursuits. The 
rudiments of his early education were received in 
the district schools of his native township. At 
.about fifteen years of age he entered the State 
Normal School at Ypsilanti which he attended for 
two years and then became a student at the 
Ypsilanti Seminary, remaining there for one term. 
He subsequently became a teacher and was so em- 
ployed for two terms. 

March 18, 1868, the gentleman of whom we 
write was united m marriage with Sarah .1. Sher- 
wood, a daughter of Gerniond and Edith Sherwood 
who were early settlers in Ypsilanti Township, 
now both deceased. Of five children born to this 
worthy couple, four are now living. They are 
Ella, .\lice M., Harriet and Sadie. Our subject is 
the owner of one hundred and seventy-two acres 
of land in Ypsilanti Township and in Augusta 
Township, nearly all of which is im|)roved. In 
1888 Mr. I^owden w.as elected Representative to 
the State Legislature on the Democratic ticket for 
a term of two years and on the expiration of this 
time he was re-elected in fall of 1890 for another 
term. He is a typical man of his locality, advanced 
in line of thought, pvogressive and enterprising, a 
worthy representative of a worthy people. He is 
identified with the Patrons of Industry and belongs 
to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, also 
being united with the Yjisilanti (irange. 

Every measure promising a Ijettermcnl of the 



280 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



condition of the people receives the sanction and 
snppoi't of our subject. He is a public-spirited 
man who is easily approached l>y all who need his 
aid and recognition. During the session of 1891 
he served as Chairman on the Committee of Ways 
and Means. His record a,s a legislator is conceded 
by all to reflect credit on himself and his con- 
stituents. 

ps^ (.^riRK PRICE. A successful farmer and 
stock-raiser of Ypsilanti Township, Wasli- 
Jj tenaw Conuty, residing at the present time 
on section 36, our subject is a native of 
Bedford County, ^'a.. where he was born Pebruary 
15, 1820. He is a son of INFarshal and Lucy (Boyd) 
Price, both natives of Virginia. When a lad of 
nineteen years of age our subject emigrated with 
his parents to Warren County, Ohio, and there re- 
sided several years. His father had died when he 
was an infant and he early took the jjlace as head of 
the family. 

Unfortunately our sul)ject's early educational 
advantages were limited. His knowledge of books 
dated from the time he was of age more than l)e- 
fore. He is a great reader and endeavors to keep 
posted with the current news of the day. In 1848 
Squire Price was married to Miss Maria Waterford. 
who was born and reared in Tennessee. She was 
a daughter of Adam and Eliza (Preston) AVatcr- 
ford. By their union there were born three chil- 
dren — Marshal, Theophilus and Adelaide. The 
first named is an agriculturist in Ypsilanti Town- 
ship, this county; the Rev. Theophilus Price is a 
minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is 
now stationed at New Albany, Ind; Adelaide is 
the wife of Horace A. Ray, of Ypsilanti Township. 
From Ohio our subject with his family went, in 
18o4, to Canada and there resided until 1864, when 
he came to Washtenaw County and has here since 
resided. 

Squire I'rice is (he owner of one hundred and 
twenty acres of land. He and his wife, who is a 
woman of unusual managerial qualities, jirudent 
and industrious, and wlio has been to liim a most 



aljle helpmate, have made their property one of the 
finest places in the vicinity. Their farm is notice- 
able in the township for the exquisite neatness and 
order in which it is kept. The place is well located 
and the house, which is a pleasant home for its 
inmates, commands a charming view of the sur- 
rounding counti'j-. Our subject is a RepuVilican 
in his political attiliations. He favors advance- 
ment in every branch of life and is especially 
interested in educational work, believing the edu- 
cation of the masses to be the secret of the great 
success of our countr}-. 

Socially our subject and his wife aie among the 
representative and choice spirits of the community. 
Their home is ^the scene of many pleasant social 
gatherings and his farm is acknowledged to be a 
standing monument to his industry and prudent 
ways and good management. His honesty and in- 
tegrity are proverbial in the community. He has 
a great deal of executive faculty and is altogether 
one of the representative men of this vicinity. 



c 



IH^ISTIAN C. SANdREE, a native of the 
, Keystone State, has long made his home in 

!^^' Washtenaw County. He was born in Lan- 
caster County, Pa., September 14, 1829, and is a 
son of .Jacob and Ann (.Shelley) Sangree, both of 
whom were natives of that county and the father 
being a miller by occupation during twenty-six 
years of his life, and subsequent to that time de- 
voted himself to farming. When our subject was 
l)ut se%en years old his parents removed to West- 
ern Xew York and located in Erie County, where 
he was given a common-school education. For a 
number of years he attended the common schools 
and took one term at the graded schools at Alex- 
andria, X. Y. 

Tlie young man began life as a farmer and 
afterward learned the carpenter's trade which he 
followed for about ten years and in the meanwhile 
worked at the business of a millwright for one year. 
He was married October 19. 18;")! to Harriet Burn- 
ham at Mendian. Oilcans Couiitv. X. Y. Her 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



281 



fatlier, Allen Burnliaiu vvlio resided in York Town- 
sliip this count}' in his lateryears, died hy means 
uf a stroke of lightnine: in 183S). 

The four children who crowned the union of 
this worthy couple are (). Wayne who was horn 
September 17, l«r)2 and is now a fanner in York 
Township and the head of a family; Salome, 
who died at the age of eight years; Mary Alma, 
l)orn August 22. 1867; Etta (). born October 11, 
1870. It was in 18.')1 when the family removed 
to Michigan and locating on section 17, undertook 
the cultivation of a farm. Mr. Sangree remained 
there until 1881 when he sold this property and 
purchased a place of forty acres on section 2(i, and 
there devoted himself to stock-raising as a liveli- 
hood. 

His political sympathies have brought him into 
line with the Democratic party, and he has held 
the office of Justice of the Peace, this being his 
second term, and also that of Township Clerk and 
Township Treasurer. lie has lieen a Notary Pub- 
licfor a number of years. His good wife, who 
was born December 24, 18;i4, and departed this 
life December 26, 1890, was a woman of more 
than ordinary loveliness of cbaraclei' iind a most 
devoted Christian. She w.-is a member of the 
Methodist Eijiscopal Church at Saline where he 
has iieen a member of the Baptist Church the past 
thirty years. His father died in 1S71 and his mother 
passed away July ;'), 18!U and be tlius feels that 
with father, mother and wife gone, miicli nf the 
joy of living has tied. 



"^^^ ••• ~^y? V ' ^t' '^' *"***" 



-^ 



^^N IIARLES S. SMITH is the proprietor of the 
(li ., most extensive meat market in the city of 
^\^' Y'psilanti. He is also .'i pork paikei- and 
.shipper, his establishment lieing located on Cross 
Street, near the JNIichigan Central Railroad. Mr. 
Smith has been in the business in which he is now 
interested since 1864, when on his return fiom the 
war he sought for some lucrative employment. 
Our subject was born in Saxony, Cicrmany. Apiil 
17, 1H;?7. and came to the I'nited States with bis 



parents in 1851. They located in Frederick City. 
Md., and tlieic remained U)V two years. 

On leaving Maryland our subject removed t<i 
Chicago. Our subject's father <lied in ls4.'i. The 
mother still lives in Pialtimore. On coining to 
Chicago the original of our sketch engaged on a 
steamboat, where he was employed for three sea- 
sons, the route of the ves.sel being on the lakes. 
From Chicago he caine to Y'psilanti, in 1854, and 
worked for himself in the market business on River 
Street, continuing at tliat until 18()1, when in the 
month of April he enlisted in Company A. Second 
Michigan Infantry. 

The regiment to which our subject belonged was 
assigned to duty in the Army of the Potomac and 
he of whom we write saw some of the most des- 
perate fighting of that desperate period. He was a 
participant in the battle of Bull Run, at Williams- 
burg, Fair Oaks and in the Seven Days' light 
During service he contracted chronic rheumatism 
and was finally discharged after being some time 
in the hospital. On returning to Y'psilanti in 
1864 Mr. Smith again oiieiied a market and con- 
tinued in the same liusiness until 1878. when, 
on account of his failing health, he sold out and 
removed to Rochester, N. Y. In 1880 he returned 
to Michigan and located in Detroit, being engaged 
in the same business in which he was interested in 
Y'psilanti. He remained there for four years and 
in 1884 returned to this city to open a large mar- 
ket, and in connection with that he established a 
pork-packing house, where he has quite an exten- 
sive trade, employing seven men constantly. He 
is the owner of a substantial brick block where his 
place of business is now located. He gives his 
undivided attention to his business affairs. In Octo- 
ber, 1864, Mr. Smith was married to Mary A. 
Hardwicke, of Y'psilanti. She was born iu Eng- 
land, but emigrated to America about 1862. Four 
children have blessed the union of our suliject and 
his wife; they are Nettie, who is the wife of Rob- 
ert (J. Banies, of tlii.s city; Herbert, who is his 
father's able assistant iu business; and Norman, 
an infant (deceased). 

Socially Mr. Smith belongs to the Excelsior 
Chapter of the Y'psilanti Masonic Lodge and also 
to the Council, and has attainerl to llie deg?-(M' of 



282 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Commandery, located at Ann Arbor. He is, more- 
over, a member of the Ancient Order of L^^nited 
Workmen. In cluirch relations lie and his family 
are communicants witli the Presbyterian denomina- 
tion. Mr. Smith has an exceedingly pleasant home 
located on River Street. In his business he makes 
a specialty of the curing of hams and bacon and 
is tiie largest meat dealer in the city, buying and 
dealing in hams extensively. He also h.as a large 
market on Congress Street. 



FOUNTAIN WATLI N( i. It is gratifying to 
trace the histfu'y of those of the early 
pioneers of Washtenaw County, who have 
persevered through trials and hardshijjs and have 
at last reached the point where they can enjoy the 
wealth and prosjierity which rightly belongs to 
tiiem. In the life of the gentleman whose name 
we now give, we find such a history, and the jiop- 
ularity which belongs to such a man is tlie just 
meed which his neighbors are glad to pay to his 
worth and work. 

This representative pioneer of Ypsilanti Town- 
ship who resides on section 19, is a native of Nor- 
folk County, England, and was born September 11, 
182.5. When in his fifth year he came with his 
parents, .lohn and Avis (Andrews) Watling from 
his native island to America. They took passage 
in a sailing vessel and were ten weeks upon the 
briny deep, landing at a Canadian port, whence 
they at once came to Washtenaw Coimty, where 
they settled upon the farm ^)n which our subject 
resides. .lohn AVatling, the patent for whose one 
hundred and sixty acres was signed by President 
Andrew .lackson, was thus one of the first settlers 
in Ypsilanti Township. He was the father of 
eight children of whom the following survive: 
Thomas who resides in ^Maryland; Henry, whose 
home is in Monroe County, Mich.; Eliza, wife of 
Andrew Martin of Ypsilanti, and our subject. In 
his death the county lost one of her intelligent, 
enterprising and worthy citizens. 

In tins county young Watling grew to man- 



hood and had the thorough practical drill in farm 
labors whicli was the portion of (jioneer lioys. He 
helped to fell the trees and to put the land in 
condition for cultivation and has .aided in l)ring- 
ing it to its present prolific condition. The dis- 
trict schools of the township furnished his early 
education, and he also attended for a short time 
the seminary at Ypsilanti. He lost his mother in 
1861 and the father followed his companion Ut the 
grave in 1869. 

Harriet White w.as the maiden name of the wife 
of our subject, to whom he was united in the holy 
bonds of matrimony in 1846. Her five diildren 
are: Mary, wife of Alfred Davis of Chicago; 
Gertrude, Mrs. G. C. Bannan of Chicago; Lucy, 
wife of L. N. Benedict of Jackson; Arthur who 
makes his home in Junction City, Kan., and Perry 
who is at home with his father. The mother of 
these children ended her earthly career February 
1. 1874. 

The present ]Mrs. Watling was known in maiden- 
hood as Harriet Thompson and is now the mother 
of three children — Ruth, Anna and Harry. Tiie 
gentleman of whom we write has ever been an 
active promoter of every movement designed to 
augment the prosperity of the community, and he 
and the family have exerted a most stimulating 
and lieneficial social influence. His political sym- 
pathies have caused him to atliliate with the Re- 
publican party but he has showii a manly inde- 
pendence, as he uses his own judgment in regard 
to his vote upon local matters. Although one of 
the oldest pioneers in this locality, he is still in the 
l)rime of life and his fine farm of two hundred 
and sixty acres is under his own management and 
shows the indisputable proofs of the h.and of a 
thoroua:li and systematic farmer. 



ILLIAM McCREERY. (Jwing to its many 

natural, social and literary advantages. 

'^^1 Ann Arbor has been considered by many as 

a pleasant pl.ace in which to pass the evening of one's 

days where, retired from liusiness cares and far from 

tiie tuiiiiiiil of a great city, life can lie enjoyed in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM- 



285 



its truest sense. Mr. McC'reery was evidently of this 
opinion, having made this hi.s home many years 
ago, and is now among our leading citizens. 

Mr. McC'reery was born in May, 1814, in Loiidon- 
dei'ry. in tlie north of Ireland, lie is the third son 
and fifth child of .lohn McC'reery. His father was 
a prominent man having filled the position of Jus- 
tice of the Peace for man v years, when ihcy moved 
on a little farm of forty acres, which has lieen in 
the family for three or four generations. Our sul)- 
jeet's mother died when he was a sinnll boy. ^Ir. 
McC'reery received his education in ilic common 
.schools and worked on a farm foi- numy yeais; 
thinking he would better his fdrtuncs. lie in May, 
1831, emigrated to the I'nited States, landing in 
(.Quebec, Canada. From there he went to St. Albans, 
\t., where he staid four years, working on a farm 
and superintending the stock for a Mr. Brainard. 

In the spring of 1834 Mr. IMcCreery came to 
Ann Arlior. He engaged in the business of team- 
ing and carrying passengers to and from different 
l)arts of this county and adjoining counties, a very 
profitable business at that time before the advent 
of railroads. In this business he continued for four 
> ears. He then embarked in the leather finding 
business which he carried on successfully for a per- 
iod of eighteen years, supplj-ing the country for 
mill's around. This business he was obliged to 
give up on account of ill-health. In 18(55 he bought 
some property and built (m it the First National 
Hank Block, a large, fine three-stoi'v building, a 
source of much profit. About this time he bought 
forty .acres of land and tui-ncd his attention to fruit 
raising. He has a forty-acre peach orchard \)vo- 
ducing a fine crop of peaches, bringing in a hand- 
.some revenue. 

The subject of this sketch was married in 184',) 
to ^liss Margaret Bush, of Ann Arbor, a native of 
New York State and a daughter of Henry Bush. 
Mr. and Mrs. ISIcC'reery are the iiarents of three 
girls, two only of whom are living, Flizabetli liav- 
ing died in St. .loseph, iSIo.. in 188(1; Eudora, the 
wife of Alnu)nd F. Hanson, a practicing attorney 
of Toledo, Ohio, and .Tose|)hine, wife of Phil Stirn- 
son, of .\nn Ailior. Our subject served as Alder- 
man of the first ward four years. In politics he 
was origin;dly an old-line AViiiir und later joined 



the Republican jiarty. In 1S40 our subject cast 
his vote for William Henry llarri.son .and lived to 
see the grandson govern the nation, taking great 
pleasure in casting his vote for him. 

^Ir. McC'reery has been a member of the ^Nlethod- 
ist Episcopal C'liurch since 1832, He lost his wife 
some six years ago in iier seventieth year. He has 
built two or three fine residences of a modern style 
of architecture. He of whom this is a life record 
was one of the original founders and principal 
stock-holders of the First Nation.al Bank, in which 
he has held the position of Director from the or- 
ganization of the bank to the present year, and is 
still a large stockholder. Mv. McC'reery is an ex- 
tensively traveled man, having made a trip to 
Europe some yeiirs ago, visiting Irel.and, Scotland, 
England, France, Belgium, (Jermany, Switzerland, 
Italy, Austria and the luins of I'ompeii. 



|f^)ICIIAKl) F. WALTERS. The credit for a 
\h^' large share of the enterprise which helps to 
■i iV make Willis one of the most thriving and 
thrifty little business points of this porti(m 
of the State, belongs to the gentleman whose name is 
at the head of this sketch and whose portrait ap- 
jiears on the opjwsite i)age. Almost every advan- 
tage that the town enjoys is owing in a greater 
or less degree to his push and energy. He is a 
dealer in dry-goods, groceries and general mer- 
chandise, and here the agricultural district finds a 
good market and a convenient trading point for 
whatever products they do not ship in great quan- 
tities by themselves. Besides his business in a 
commercial line our subject is also the efticient 
Postmaster oi the town. He is popular .and enjoys 
fin.ancial success. lie is the lessee of the building 
he occupies, which is fifty feet in depth and twent.v- 
two feet front.age. It is a frame structure and was 
erected in 1884. 

Our subject has shown a veiy nice di.^erimina- 
tion in the selection of the stock wliicii he carries, 
and although it is aline usually carrie<I by a coun- 
try merchant, so thorouglily does he know the 



286 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



tastes and needs of tin.' iJcoiiK' that almost every- 
thing can be found lieie that is lequired. His 
annual sales run from ^8,000 to i!l(l,(l(ll) per annum 
and the stock which he carries constantly amounts 
in value to from *2,5(lll to ^2,800. Its proprietor is 
a native of Ontario, Canada, and was born Janu- 
ary «, 1859. He is a son of James and Amy Wal- 
ters, natives of Canada. Almost all of his life has, 
however, been identified with this county, his par- 
ents havino; ren.oved here wlien he was only eleven 
months of age. For a slioit time they resided in 
Ypsilanti and then came to Augusta Township 
where they have lived ever since. 

In his boyhood Mr. Walters attended district 
school and began his business career as a clerk in a 
mercantile store in Huron, this State, being em- 
ployed by the firm of A. Anderson ct Co. He re- 
mained with them for about two years and in the 
spring of 188fi launched into business for himself 
in Willis and has here enjoyed a good trade. In 
July, 1889, he was appointed Postmaster at this 
point and has so served up to date. 

Mr. Walters is a Republican in his political pref- 
erence and is as enthusiastic in that as in every- 
thing else he undertakes. He has been identified 
with the Masonic fraternity .socially, Init his social 
life centers about his home, which is presided over 
pleasingly l)y his wife to whom he was married 
January 30, 1884. She was in her girlhood KHie 
Anderson, a daughtei- of A. .Vnderson. By this 
union one child ii.is been burn, a daughter, whose 
name is Mabel. She made her entrance into life 
Julv 5, 1887. Mr. Walters is the representative 
merchant of Willis and with the growth of the 
town his futiue success is inevitaMf. 



m 



AMES M. CHIDISTEH is an old resident of 
Ypsilanti, having come here June 1, 1840. 
At that time there were few houses in the 
place, Washington .Street being a forest and 
east of that there being but four houses on the 
south of Congress Street. Indeed it was simply a 
trading post, the agricultural interests then not 
being much developed. .Mr. Chidister was born 



in Bucks County. Pa., twenty-eight miles from 
Philadelphia, October 10, 1821. He is the son of 
Charles and Ellen (Iloaglaud) Chidister, the foinier 
of whom died when our subject was a child. 

The original of our .sketch acquired his educatiou 
in his native county and also learned his trade 
there, it being that of a carpenter, and when eigh- 
teen }-ears of age he came to Michigan and settled 
at Ypsilanti to work at his trade, following it for 
five years, and during the latter portion of that 
time, in company with David Edwards, was en- 
gaged as a contractor. His first work on coining 
here was on the old Methodist Episcopal Church, 
which is now being torn down to give place to a 
better one. His first day's labor here' was May 7, 
1843. After that he was engaged on a good many 
other buildings and a large number of stores. 

Jlr. Chidi.ster first engaged in business for him- 
self in 1846. At this time he opened a grocery 
store on Congress .Street, but after the first two 
years he changed his stock for one of dry-goods, 
and the following year accepted an appointment 
as I'lider Sheriff, and closing out his business spent 
his time for the most part at Ann Arbor, although 
he made his home in this city. He held that oflice 
for six years, it extending over three terms. He 
then returned to business at Ypsilanti in 1855 and 
in company with Moore ir Showerman purchased 
a large tract of land in Augusta and built a saw- 
mill, running a .store in connection with it. The 
enterprise was started July 21, 1855, and our sub- 
ject -sold out July 4, 1858. Moving back to Yi)sil- 
anti he secured again the house which he now 
occupies and which is located on the northeast 
corner of Huron and Race Streets. 

Again going into the dry-goods business on 
Congress Street, our subject continued in this for 
some years and maintained a large store for that 
dav. He was obliged, however, to sell out on ac- 
count of ill-health and was afterward elected to 
take charge of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Trade 
Association, better known as the old B'armer's 
Store, and for four years he continued in the man- 
ageriiil position. This was the last of his exper- 
ience in the dry -goods trade and since that time 
he has been handling grain and wool, but has also 
been much engaged in settling up estates and in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



287 



lianrlling real estate for himself and others. He is 
iargelj' interested in real estate in the city and is 
the owner of one of the finest corners on Huron 
Street. He also has a farm five miles from the 
city and a farm of eighteen hiindrcd ;uid I'nrty 
acres in North Dakota. 

Tiie original of oursketch has held various oHices 
in the local government and has been Alderman 
and was a member of the first Board on which he 
was City Treasurer. For many years he was con- 
nected socially with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. Oui- subject's marriage took place May 
12, 1846, his bride being Miss Lucy Ann .Smith. 
Two children are still living who have been the 
(Viiil of this union — Isadore and Ella .T. Isadore 
is now the wife of I. Crane of this city. Mrs. Chid- 
ister was born at CoxsaK'kie, N. Y., .luly 18, 1828, 
and is a daughter of Calvin and IJel)ecca (Traver) 
Sniilh; slie is a member of the Kiiiscop.'il ( liurcli. 



KAXK II. SWEpyrLANI). Tlie owner of 
^T^j the quarter section hjcatefl on section 14, 
Sylvan Township, whose name is that 
(pioted above, is one of the progressive and enter- 
prising farmers of tliis locality. He is a native of 
this county, having been born in J^odi Township, 
August 2, 1853. He is a son of Olleton C. and 
Delilah (Holden) Sweetland. Our subject's father 
was born in St. Lawience County, N. V., Decem- 
ber 12, 1812. The lady whom he married was born 
Septemlier \i>. 1H17. By this union four children 
were born, whose names are Fr.ank H., Louis and 
Lester who are twins and Carrie. The maternal 
pari'Ut of our subject died March 80, 1873. 

Prior to the marriage above mentioned our suli- 
ject's father had married and lost his first wife, 
who was Miss Sarah A. \Vasson,a native of Living- 
ston County, N. Y. and was l)orn Maicli 1(1, 1H1,S. 
Slie was a daughter of Samuel Wasson, and w.is 
tlif mother of three children — Edgar, Helen and 
^Miles. Mrs. Sarah Sweetland died November 17, 
18i)(l. Our subject's half brothers and sisters 
instituted families of their own. Edgar married 
Marilla Newell and liecame tlie father of two chil- 



dren — Bert and Lewis. Helen became Mrs. Isaac 
W.Allen and her husband was a soldier in the late 
war. Miles married Clara Smith and liecame the 
father of four children — Tracey. .lovce, Nina and 
a baby who is not yet named. 

Of the family to which our subject belongs, the 
brother next to himself married Miss Clara Zahn. 
Lewis married Kate Kichart and is the father of 
two children — Mark and Hay. Carrie became Mrs. 
C. W. Wagoner, and is the mother of three chil- 
dren — Ralph, Carroll and Arthur, while lie of 
whom we write married .Miss ,Iulia A. (ieddes. 
Our subject's paternal grandparents were Elezier 
and Deborah (Chamberlin) Sweetland, natives of 
A'ermont. The former was a farmer in his native 
State but en)igrated to Michigan and settled in 
I^odi Township in Territorial days. There he be- 
came the owner of a large farm which they con- 
tinued to live on until the time of their death. 
They had a family of five children. 

After coming to Michigan in 1837 our subject's 
father settled in Lodi Township, this county, and 
was engaged in farming two hundred and forty 
acres of land. He was Justice of the Peace for 
twenty years and both Supervisor and Assessor. 
Our subject's maternal grandparents were Charles 
and Deborah (Thayei') Chamberlin. They were 
natives of Vermont who moved to New York State 
and were there engaged in farming, remaining 
there until the occurrence of their death. For a 
short time p.ast our subject's father has made his 
home with him of whom we write. He has a hand- 
some property of his own comprising two hundred 
and twenty acres of land. An ardent Democrat, 
Mr. Sweetland. Sr., believes in the right of free 
trade. 

Frank M. Sweetland purchased the farm wlieie 
he now lives and which comprises one hundred 
and sixty acres, in 1878. The place is finely which 
developed and is well stocked with the best breeds 
of cattle and sheep. (_)ur subject was married 
March 13, 1K7(S and his wife being a daughter of 
Henry and Maria (Jones) (4eddes, natives of New 
York, who came to Michigan in 182!) and settled 
in Lodi Township, this comity. They had a f.amily 
of six children, four of whom are now living. 
Minerva became a ^Irs. Davis; .hilia is ^Iis. Sweet- 



288 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBU3I. 



land; Henrietta is Mi>. Frank Glazier and Ermine 
is now ^Irs. E. J. Hoajj. ^Iis. Sweetland's niatenial 
grandparents were John and Susan (Snialley) 
(ieddes. natives New Jersey who came to Michigan 
in 1829. Here they lived until taken away liy 
death. 

Our subject was educated at Ann Arbor in the 
High School and after tinisiiing his course he was 
engaged for three years in teadiing in this county. 
His wife was a fellow-student with liimself at Ann 
Arbor and was also engaged as a teacher fur 
four years in this county. Mr. Sweellaud has 
been Superintendent of Schools of Lodi Township 
and since locating in Sylvan Township has held 
the office of Drain Commissioner and at the present 
time (1891) he is Highway Commissioner. ]k)th 
he and his wife are members of the Congregational 
Church. He is a Democrat and one of tiie pro- 
minent men of this countv. 



^>^^<^^-^- 



'^tp? LDREDCiE LAFLIX. deceased. It is witli 
iM pleasure that we re])resent in this Ai.i;r>i 
/J- — ^ one of the most prominent and liighly res- 
pected families of Washtenaw County, and one of 
its m(jst liouored members was the lamented gentle- 
man whose name we have just given. This highly 
esteemed and eminently useful member of society 
was a native of Burlington. \'t.. where he was born 
October 3, 1826. beinga son of Ira R. and Laura A. 
Laflin. 

The family migration to Clinton Ci)unty. X. Y.. 
was made when our subject was a little boy, and 
upon the farm there and in the common schools he 
was reared to manhood. His excellent education 
prepared him to become the practical man of affairs 
that he was known to be. His father was a Scotch- 
man by tiiith and his mother an Englishwoman. 
The lady to whom he was united in marriage 
in New York, July 10, 1847, was Louisa Miller, a 
native of the province of I Quebec. Canada, and was 
born February 13, 1829, near the city of Jloutreal. 
She is a daughter of Francis and Rosa (^'as) Miller. 
Her father was a native of France, and her mother 
a Canadian of French descent. When (piite a 



small child she removed with her parents to Clin- 
ton County, N. Y. and there grew to womanhood. 

Six of the seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Lattin 
are still living, namely: Susan. Horace, Lewis. 
Henry. Louisa and Clementine. Susan is the wife 
of William Baxter, of Chatham, Ontario; Louisa 
has married Norva Avers, and Clementine is the 
wife of Jesse Pepper. The son who died was Prof. 
Ira B. It was in the fall of 1860, that Eldredge 
Laflin migrated with his family to Upper Canada 
and for a number of vears, he made that his home 
and was engaged in the lumbering business which 
he had previously followed. In the spring of 1871 
he came with his famil3^ to Michigan, and settled 
on the farm where his widow still resides. 

The original of this sketch died in Yijsilanti 
Township. .January 11. 18§8. leaving the record of 
a life well spent, and being well known as a man of 
tiKirough integrity and a kind and loving husband 
and father. In his death the community exper- 
ienced a real loss and he has been mourned iK>t 
only Ity his near friends, but throughout the neigh- 
liDi-liood and adjacent section of the county. He 
was a man of public spirit and enterprise and a 
willing helper in all good works. His political 
views brought him into alliance with the Republi- 
can party, and lioth he and his worthy wife had 
hmg been connected with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. He left a good farm to his family who 
are highly esteemed in this township, and who no 
doubt inherit not only his material possessions but 
the noliility and trustworthiness of character which 
so einiiienllv marked him. 



LVIX ^lEAD. A comparison has often 
(@^'| '. been drawn betw-een New York and ilicli- 
* igan. and they are much alike in intelli- 
gence, enterprise and productiveness, while 
their natural features, made notable by altitude, 
contiguity to the lake district, and abundance of 
forest and mineral wealth, will bear close compar- 
ison. That their people are much alike is due to 
the fact that the Empire State has given freel\- of 
her sons and daughtei-s to help in populating this 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



289 



^•ouiiger one in the sisterhood of States. Among 
tliose who liave found their native hf)nie in New 
York and their mniihood hnnie here is he of wlioni 
we write. 

This i)romineut farmer and stoeli-raiser of Yjisi- 
lanti Township, had his l)irth October fi. 1822, in 
Westchester (.'ounty, N. \. His graiidfatlier Mead 
was a soldier in the A\';ir <>f 1^12, and his fatlier, 
William, and his mother. Sarah (Baker) Mead, 
were lioth natives of New York. Theii- son was 
only about one year nld wlien the family removed 
to Ontario County, X. V.. ami there grew up upon 
a farm, receiving his early education in the district 
schools. As he grew older he was .sent to the 
Academy at Canandaigua. and there he spent two 
years. 

.January 20, 18-47, was the day upon which our 
subject was united in marriage with JIargaret 
Charlton, who was born April 29, 1824, in Ontario 
County, N. Y. Her parents, John and Margaret 
(Crosier) Charlton were natives of England who 
migrated to this countiy in 1801, and spent the 
remainder of their lives in Ontario County, N. Y. 
To them were born .seven children, four of whom 
are living, namely: William, who lives in New 
York; Isabella, now the widow of Ezra Wilbur, of 
Ontario County; Mrs. JMead: and ( ieorge. still a 
resident of New York. 

Jlr. Mead's fatlier had been twice married, and 
of his .seven children, foui' survive, namely: Alvin: 
Delia, wife of L. Philips in Ontario County; .James, 
in Ontario County; anid Lewis who resides in 
Council (rrove, Kan. To-.,our subject and his excel- 
lent wife have been born three children: Charlotte 
A., wife of Mortimer Crane; Frances, the wife of 
Francis Sweet; and Delia, wife of .John Riggs. 
The emigration of this family to i\Iicliigan took 
place in 1832, and they at once made their home 
upon the land which is now occupied by Mr Mead. 
This estate comprises one hundred acres of as fine 
land .as is to be found in the county, and this has 
been accumulated by the unfailing efforts and in- 
dustry of this worthy couple, and is a standing 
monument to tlieir determination and perse- 
verance. 

In the school district Mi-. Mead has for some 
years served as Treasui-er. nnil hi' has heen an elli- 



cient promoter of all movements for advance in 
education and morality. He and his good wife are 
members of the Ypsilanti (irange, in which he has 
served as Steward, and in the social life of the 
township they do tlieir full share and make their 
home the scene of true hospitality. 



ETER W. CARPENTER is the Teller of the 
Ypsilanti .Savings Bank, with which he has 
lieeu connected in various capacities for the 
Last ten years, having entered it when it 
was the private banking establishment of Hemp- 
hill, Batchelder & Co., it lieing merged into the 
.Savings Bank in 1889, and incorporated under the 
State laws with a capital stock of $50,000, at 
which time our subject assumed the position he 
now fills. JNIr. Carpenter was born in the town- 
ship of Wright, Albany C'ounty, N. Y., February 
16, 184G, and is a son of Zeno and Rachel (Au- 
champaugh ) Carpenter. 

Our suljject received his education for the most 
part in .Schenectady County, where his parents 
had mo\ed when he was quite young. He after- 
ward spent some time at school at New Lebanon 
Springs, Columbia County, N. Y. On finishing his 
education, at the age of fifteen our subject went 
as a clerk in a general store on Quaker Street, and 
remained there for a short time, afterward moving 
to Adrian, Mich., in 1865, where he was also en- 
gaged as a clerk in a dry-goods store until 1870. 
In the above-named year our subject was mar- 
ried to Miss Annie E. Sprague, their wedding 
being celebrated JMarch 1. They almost immedi- 
ately went on a farm, Mr. Carpenter's health not 
being such .as to permit him to be confined by 
commercial life. They remained there for four 
years, their farm being located in Lenawee County, 
and in 1875 he of whom we write moved to Ypsi- 
lanti. .Vfter locating here, again he became in- 
terested in the flour and feed business in partner- 
ship with a Mr. Wordcn, and the business was 
carried on under the firm name of Carpenter it 
Worden. After spending some time in this Ijusi- 
ness, our subject sold diy goods for 11. P. Glover, 



290 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



fitaying with him for four year><. At the ex- 
piration of that time he went into the lire insur- 
ance business, which he lias continued up to tiie 
in-esent time. In the meantime, in 1881. he was 
appointed Deputy . County Registrar of Deeds, 
which office he held for two years. 

Ill 1882 Mr. Carpenter was appointed City Clerk 
of Ypsilanti, and the following year was reap- 
pointed, and during his last term he went into 
the bank, since which time his attention has been 
given chiefly to his work in this institution. In 
1884 he was nominated by the Republican party 
for Registrar of Deeds, but was defeated, owing to 
his party being largely in the minority, although 
his popularity was shown by his receiving about 
two hundred votes ahead of his ticket. Our sub- 
ject is a member of the Masonic order of this city, 
the lodge, Chapter and Couucil being here, and the 
Commaiidery at Ann Arbor. He has been presid- 
ing otticer of each of these three orders, and is at 
present the Senior Warden of the Commaudery. 

Mrs. Cari)enter was born at (Ireat Harrington. 
ALass.. October 23, 1849. She is a daughter of 
William and Fannie S. Sprague, and lost her father 
wlieii eleven months old. Her mother afterward 
married a Mr. A. Taylor, of Sodus Center, A\'ayne 
County, N. Y. They inoxcil to Adrian in 1869, 
wliere they both reside at the present time. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have been born four cliil- 
dren, three of whom are now living. They are: 
William S., Ruth I., Egbert K. (now deceased), and 
Fanny E. Zeno Carpenter, father of Peter W. 
Carjieuter, was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., 
September 18, 1808. He was by occupation a 
farmer, although when a young man he learned 
the trade of a shoemaker. The greater part of his 
life, with the exception of tlie last twenty years, 
was spent in Schoharie County. During the latter 
portion of his life he made his home with our sub- 
ject, lie and his wife coming to the Wolverine 
State in 1871. His decease occurred March 10, 
1.S91, and his wife died May 6, 1889. 

Peter AV. Carpenter is one of two children lunii 
to his parents, the other a sister, named Sarali K.. 
now the wife of Henry Tater, who lives in War- 
ncr\iile, Schoharie County, N. Y. Tlie maiden 
name () f our suliject's mother was Williur. Slie 



was born in Schoharie County. N. Y., where she 
married ]Mr. Auchampaugh. a farmer, by whom 
she had two sons — Jacob .7., of Detroit, and Levi, 
now a resident of Adrian. Ruth, the daughter of 
Peter W. Carpenter, graduated from the Y'psilanti 
High School in the Class of '91, and is now a 
student at the State Normal School, pursuing a 
course in (ierman and Latin. She is a talented 
and intelligent young lady, of whom her parents 
are justly proud. 



r3 



RS. LOI.TISA .1. TICKNOR, who is a prom- 
inent and well-known resident of Pitts- 
'i field Township, was born in Rensselaer 
County, N. Y'., May 20, 1826. She is a 
daughter of Darius Douglas, who was a cooper by 
trade and also a farmer. He came to Michigan in 
Seiitember 183,5, and located within two miles of 
Ann Arbor on a section of land which was then an 
absolute wilderness, purchasing it from a Mr. 
Smith who had taken it up. He was able to give 
Ids daughter only limited opportunities for educa- 
tion as what few schools were to be found in this 
vicinity were very poor. He moved into a log 
house and began to clear the farm. 

Louisa J. Douglas was married to (iiles W. 
Ticknor on the 9th of April, 1844. He was the 
son of lleman and J^liza (Cutler) 'Hcknor, of 
\'ermont, and was born in Rensselaer County, 
N. Y.. May 18, 1818. He came to IMichigan in 
1836, and located on section 3, where William 
Campbell now resides. His education had been re- 
ceived in one of the Eastern academies, and for 
some years he taught school among the farmers, an 
occupation which in those days was a most useful 
one, as few had come into the new country who 
were capable of giving instruction. The three 
children who were granted to Mr. and Mrs. Tick- 
nor were Luther, born March 18, 1846; Ix)uis E., 
l>orn October 8. 18r)0; and a little one who died in 
infancy. The father was called away from this 
happy family circle, August 3, 1872, 

Lutlier Ticknor was married .lanuar\- 27, 1867. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



291 



to Louise Alderton, of Essex County, England, 
and they had live chihlicn, namely: Fiank II.. 
born Decenilier 11. LSCT; .Mary K.. Octolun- (1. 
1S69; Ina, October IX, 1X71: l.iniisc K.. August H. 
1873; and Ellen L.. Manh 20. I,s7."i. Tlif fatlu-r 
of these children pa.-^sed from cartli IVbruaiy '-K 
1878, and was buried at .\nn Arbor. The home 
farm is now carried on by liis eldest son ami tiio 
grandmother, employing some liired 1r'1|>. This 
young man, Frank 11.. was married .1 line 1. 18'.l|. 
to Anne R. .ludson, of Ann Arlx)!'. daughter of 
.h)hn P. Judson, a mercliant of that i>lace. Ina 
married O. K. Button, of Ann Arbor, who is now 
a chemist in Chicago, and all the others are at 
home with the mother. At one time there were 
four geuerations ui)on the old homestead. 

Giles W. Ticknor was in California for fifteen 
years, but for three years of that time he was in 
the Ihiion Army, and most of that period was 
spent in Indian warfare. He returned to Michi- 
gan, however, some five years before his death. The 
l)leasant home now occuijied liy Mrs. Ticknor is 
the result of her own indu.stry and energy, as for 
ten years she was engaged in the dairying business, 
in which she was successful. In the early history 
of the family the Presbyterian Church was the de- 
nomination of their choice, but they are now con- 
nected with the ISIethodist organization. The 
family has been divided on politics. Mr. Ticknor's 
father was Supervisor of the township, and also 
.lustiee of the Peace. An uncle of his was a sur- 
geon in the United States Navy, and s\)e\\t twenty 
years of his life on the high seas, but resided in 
Ann Arbor for five years, and with his good wife 
was buried in that city. 



' l C J^ ■ " ^- ••• ^##!# •?• '^ 



=®^ 



GEORGE MAST. The writer knows of no 
, calling that has been dignified and graced 
^ J in modern poetry more than that which in 

practical life is generally most pinsMic. Longfel- 
low and Schiller especially have thrown a veil of 
romance and heroism about the toweling foim of 
the blacksmith, that while it stands ovit in all its 



muscular strength, is lent an awe-inspiring majesty, 
lie whose name is above has lieen connected for 
many years with tliis calling, and is now retired 
from active labor, residing in Chelsea. He was 
born in Wurtemberg, (Jermany, Deeemlier 19, 
183(1, and is a son of John and Margaret (Mast) 
^last, natives of tiie same place in which their son 
was born. Our subject V father was a farmer by 
calling, and by prudent, i)rovident ways they 
amassed a competency, and were exempt from the 
hardships of labor in their later years. 

( )ur subject's parents passed away in the Fatlier- 
land. They were devoted members of the Lu- 
theran Cliinch, and weie people whose purity of 
morals and simplicity of life made a pleasing 
example for their son. Tiiey had a family of six 
children, only two of whom came to America, 
they being (Jeorge, and his sister, Pauline, now 
Mrs. Ottmer, of Jackson. Our subject's career has 
been closely connected with life in America, the 
greater part of his manhood years being here 
spent. 

(xeorge JMast recei\ed the educational advan- 
tages for which the Fatherland is so noted among 
nations. He lived at home until nineteen years of 
age, and then crossed the ocean for America, laud- 
ing in New York City, and thence proceeding to 
Detroit, where after a stay of a few days he left 
for Ann Arbor, and thence moved to Dexter, 
where he engaged in the blacksmiths' trade with 
Asa Bailey, and worked with him for one and a 
half years, when he came to Chelsea and finished 
his trade with Newton Robinson, with whom 
he worked for about four years, when liis 
health failed him and he gave up his busi- 
ness and removed to Jackson, remaining thei-c 
two years. Our subject came to Chelsea in 
18,50. After this rest and the recuperation of 
his health, Mr. Mast went to work at F'reedom, this 
county, remaining tliere for two years, and then 
located in Dexter, where he worked for three 
years, after which he relumed to Chelsea, first 
working alone at his trade, and later entering into 
partnership with his former employers, Balcher 
and Pliilip Christner. Later Philiji sold out and 
some years later our subject bought Balcher's inter- 
est in the shop, and carried on the business from 



292 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



1868 until he was liurnt out in 1888, wlien he 
retired from active Vmsiness. 

The original of onr skctt-h is the owner of some 
tine village property. He first rented a dwelling 
on ]Main Street, and tiien hoiight a house on Mid- 
dle Street, l^ater lie Imilt tlie tine dwelling wliere- 
in he now lives, erecting it in 1880, at a cost of 
^1,600, which does not include the value of the 
lot. In 1864 our subject was married to Miss 
Louisa Artz, of (iermany, the daughter of John 
Artz. Three children liave come to these parents; 
they are Lizzie, Minnie and George. 

Mr. Mast affiliates with the Democratic party, 
Ijelieving in the power of that body to legislate 
for the masses. He lielongs to the German Laboi' 
party, and he with his family are members of the 
Lutheran Church, of which he is Secretary. Oiu- 
su)>ject is a self-made man, and is one who is re- 
spected by all, liaving attained a high position 
m the regard of all classes of people in Chelsea. 



^^O 



^^- HAKLES II. KEINIPK, Sn. The firm of K. 
(li -, Kerapf & Bro., one of the oldest and most 
^g/ reliable banlving institutions in AVashtenaw 
County, is presided over by the gentleman whose 
name heads this sketcli. Their liank was estab- 
lished in 1866. Our suliject is a native of Bucks 
Count}', Pa., and was l)orn .lanuary 1, 1831. He 
is a son of John J. and Kosanna (Myers) Kempf, 
natives of Wurtemlierg. (iermany. They came to 
America about 1830, and settled in Bucks County, 
Pa., near t^uakertown. 

Our subject's father was by trade a butcher. 
He also engaged in farming, and in 1837 he closed 
out his business in Pennsylvania and started for 
the West, locating at Ann Arbor, this State, whei-c 
he followed his trade until a few years liefore his 
decease, when he retired from active business, hav- 
ing accumulated a comfortal)le fortune for those 
times. He took an active part in church matters, 
l)eingone of the founders, and with his family was a 
member of the Lutheran Church of the city of 
Ann Arbor, Mich. The first (iernian scliool in the 



city of Ann Arbor was held in tlie basement of 
his dwelling. Tn politics lie was a Democrat. Mr. 
and Mrs. Kempf, Sr.. were the parents of a family 
of five diildren — -Charles IL, Denah, Reuben, (God- 
frey and Rosa. Deiiali is now 3Irs. SclilotterI)eck, 
of Pittsburg, Pa.; Reuben resides in Ann Arbor; 
(Jodfrey lives in Pullman, HI.; Rosa is Jlrs. flyers 
and lives in (Jrand Ledge, this State. 

Our subject received his education at Ann Ar- 
bor, and there learned the tinsmiths' trade, and in 
18r)3 started the first tin sliop at Chelsea, later en- 
larging his business to that of general hardware. 
Five years after that his brother came to Chelsea, 
and together they went into partnership and 
opened the first lumber yard, also handling the 
produce of the country. They continued in this 
business until three years ago. adding to their 
oilier interest that of the real-estate business. 
Mr. Kempf has done much to improve the appear- 
ance of Chelsea, having built business blocks and 
houses. 

Our subject has lieen accorded a prominent jilace 
in the town. He has been President of the vill- 
age and has held various other officer. He is a 
strong temperance advocate and an adherent of 
the Congregational Church, of which he is a 
Trustee. For a time he was County Superintend- 
ent of the Poor, and in f.act has been prominently 
connected with every philanthropic enterprise tliat 
has been started in the town. He is a member of 
Olive Lodge, F. ct A. M., at Chelsea. 

In 18.5.5 our subject was married to Miss Mary I'l 
Freer, a native of Lima, "Washtenaw County, this 
State. She is a daughter of Alvah and Phebe A. 
(Streator) Freer, natives of New York, who came 
West .about 1837 and engaged in f.arming. They 
are now residents of the village of Chelsea. Four 
children have been accorded this estimable couple, 
three of whom are now living, the eldest son hav 
ing died at the age of two years. The eldest son 
now living, George, married Lena Angeline; he is 
a leading dry -goods mercliant at Chelsea, and owns 
a liranch store at Manchester. AVilbur married 
Catherine Cummings, and is one of the prominent 
fanners of this township residing two miles south 
of Chelsea; he is the father of two cliildreu — Leon 
and Bessie. ^Mvrtie 11. is a graduate of Temple 






.,w^ 






GJi. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



295 



Grove Seminary of Saratoga, N. Y., and is particu- 
larly proficient in music. Our subject enjoys a 
wide and unblcmislied reputation as heinar a man 
of the most iicrffd liusiness instincts. 



'OSKPII WIllTLARK. Many of the r«si- : 
dents of "Washtenaw County are of British j 
liirtli and liave engrafted upon Western I 
ways the haliits of the sturdy Anglo-Saxon i 
race. The}' have thus been of great benefit espec- | 
ially in the development of a new country. Such I 
an one we find in our subject who was born at Sher- 
wood Hill, Nottingham, England, December 23, 
1829. His father, John, and his mother, Abbie 
(AVadkin) Whitlark.werc natives of Lancastershire; 
the mother died when her son Joseph had reached 
only the tender age of five j'ears. 

Jose))!) Whitlark and his three brothers came to 
the United States in 1836, leaving their only sister, 
Elizabeth, in England,where she has always resided. 
She is the widow of John K. I-Cdmondson, of Man- 
chester, a son of the Edmondson who invented the 
railway ticket register. One of the daughters mar- 
ried William Bradshaw, the publisher of the well- 
known railway guide. In 1836 "Uncle John" 
Whitlark, as he was called, secured land in Ann 
Arbor Township and there erected a steam sawmill 
which ho put into operation. Having cleared up 
his farm and worked the trees into lumber, he 
bought a twenty-acre tract in Westfield Township, 
upon which he lived until liis death, which occur- 
March 1.5, 1865. 

The eldest son of this family, "William W. is liv- 
ing in Canada where he is a general agent for a sew- 
ing macliine; John W. settled on the old homestead 
and died some six j'ears since. His widow, who 
was Clarissa Fitz Simmons, followed him to tlie 
grave two j^ears later. The youngest son. Thomas, 
lives in Peru, Ind. 

Josepli Whitlark remained through his youth 
with his father upon the farm and attended the 
Beady School in Dutchess County, N. Y., a first- 
class ( Juaker school where he remained about one 
year when he was f(jurteen or fifteen vears old. 



Later he went to Pennsylvania where he attended a 
Quaker boarding school, his parents being of the 
Society* of I''ricnds. In 1818 he retiu'ned to Eng- 
land wheri' ill' tiiok uji the tailor's trade for three 
years under an agreement which kept him there 
until lie was twenty-two years old. He then re- 
turned and in connection with his brother William 
l(Mik charge of the sawmill upon his father's farm 
r^>r one winter and then engaged in farming at 
Ilorshoe Lake in Northfield Township. 

On the 24th of October, 1853, Mr. Wiiitlark was 
married to i\Iiss Lucy B. Bilbie, a native of Not- 
tinghamshire, England, where she was born No- 
vember 1, 1828. Her parents were Walter and 
Lucy (Ilenson) Bilbie, who came to the United 
States in 1848 and settled on a farm in Ann Arbor 
Township. The father had been a lace manufact- 
urer in England and died in 1878 while he was 
making his home with Mi'S. Whitlark. He had 
been bereaved of his wife two years previous. Mrs. 
Whitlark is a direct descendant of James Hai greaves 
the inventor of the carding-machine and spinning 
jenny now in common use. To her have been born 
four sons — Walter J., Lawrence B., Arthur H. and 
an infant unnamed. Walter was graduated in the 
Pharmacuetical Department of the I'niversity of 
Michigan in 1876 and remained with his parents 
on the farm until his death, which took place July 
28, 1888, when he had reached the age of thirty- 
three years. He left a wife and one child, the 
former l)eing Ida E., a daughter of Chauncey Or- 
cutt. The cliild, Lawrence C, is now ten years old 
and he and his mother live with his grandparents. 

Our subject's son, Lawrence B., who was born 
May 1, 1859, passed from earth June 28, 1875; 
Arthur II. took a course in the civil and mining 
engineering department of the University and in 
March, 1886, was appointed clerk in the Post- 
ottice Department at Wasliington, having success- 
fully passed an examination and being the first 
appointee out of fourteen who were examined. 
Ills wife was Katie Speechley, of Ann Arbor, who 
was graduated at the High .School, taking a di- 
ploma of high rank. They have one child, Edna, 
born September 22, 189(1. 

After living nine years in Northlield Township 
our subject look charge of his wife's I'atiier's farm 



296 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



for three years and in 1867 secured the present 
farm, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, 
lie has fifteen or sixteen acres of peaches, compris- 
ing some two thousand trees, and blackberries 
and raspberries in abundance, lie has ever been 
a piiblic-sjnrited and enterprising man and was in- 
strumental in securing the passage of the Toledo 
Railway through Ann Arboi\ He has long been 
interested in the subject of drainage and tilling 
and while living near Whitmore Lake he projected 
the plan of lowering the lake by drainage for tlic 
lienePit of the surrounding lowlands. By the aid 
of the County Drain Commissioners and Joseph 
Pray this was finally accomplished by widening 
.and deepening the outlet. He has held a number 
of offices in the district but lias little taste for poli- 
tics. He is a prominent member of the l\>molog- 
icnl Society, and is a member of the I'nitarian 
(Inircli, being one of its Trustees and the Treas- 
urer. 

In connection with this liiographical iiolice is 
presented a portrait of Mr. Whitlark. 



H. SWEET. His place of luisiness being 
J-, III located on West Congress Street, Ypsi- 
W^ lanti, our subject there carries on a large 
and lucrative trade, being an extensive dealer in 
dry -goods. He located where he now is in 187;^, 
and since that time has kept the reputation which 
he at first made for carrying the best selected 
stock of goods in the city. Mr. .Sweet was born 
in Saratoga County, Is'. Y., February 1 1, 1847. He 
is a SOB of John M. and iMar\' (Woods) Sweet, 
both of whom were bom in Saratoga County, the 
former being a farmer liy occupation. 

W. H. Sweet received the rudiments of his edu- 
cation while still living in Saratoga County. \\\ 
1864, with his family, he came to Michigan and 
located in the townsliip of Pittsfleld. He remained 
there and was engaged in agricultural work until 
Sejitember 7, 1867, when he came to this city as a 
(Wi'k in tlie old Farmers' Store. He was engaged 
in tliat capacity for two years, and afterwai'd went 



with Henderson k Glover, beginning his clerk- 
ship with them September 21, 1869, and remaining 
with them until February U», 1873, when he formed 
a partnership with AVilliam Robbius, the firm name 
l)eing Robhins iVr Sweet. They were engaged ex- 
tensively in hiindling dry-goods and were success- 
ful in business. The partnership existed until 
January 24. 1881, when our subject bought out 
his partner's interest and has since continued by 
himself. He has a large store and carries the best 
line of goods in the city. The Commercial of Sep- 
tember 17, 1887, says: "Twenty years ago Wed- 
nesday W. H. Sweet came to Ypsilanti to live. He 
began as a clerk in the Farmers' Store, working 
for his lioard, and after spending two years in that 
business and sometime otherwise engaged, he be- 
gan business for himself nineteen years ago, and 
has continued until the present time. His career 
has been a successful one, having an extensive, 
fluely-established and lucrative business, which at- 
tests to his ability, he having built it uji liy his 
own exertions and without assistance." 

Doul)tless the success which has attended our 
subject's efforts is a result of the fact that he has 
given to it his whole and undivided attention and 
time. Everything that appeals to the feminine 
taste and to domestic comfort in the way of wear- 
ing apparel may be found in the finely assorted 
line which our subject carries. His line is not 
only complete but his store is attractive. He is 
also a stockholder of the Ann Arlior it Yjisilanti 
Railroad, and is now Alderman from the First 
Ward. He and his wife are members of the Bap- 
tist Church, and Mr. Sweet is connected with the 
Masonic fraternilyand has attained to tiie Com- 
inandery. 

The original of our sketch was married to Miss 
Amanda E. Seely, a daughter of .lames V. Seely. 
Their nuptials were solemnized F'ebruary 27, 1873. 
They have three children — Charles S., Clara E. 
and jVrdon J., for whom the parents are very am- 
bitious and are determined that no ))ains or money 
shall l)e spared in their education. February 19. 
1891, Mr. Sweet gave a banquet to the diy- 
goods and clothing men of this city, it being the 
eigliteenth anniversary of the commencement of 
his mercantile life in Yjisiianti. It was the first 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



297 



affair of the kind ever given here, and was earned 
(lilt in a most perfect manner, and did much to 
cement tiie friendship of the business men of this 
place. Mr.Sweet is tlie President of tlie Young 
Men's Christian Association in tliis city and is 
greatly interested in the Vfork. 



' AMES ,J. PARSHALL. This gentleman of 
whom we now write, whose pleasant home 
is to be found in Ann Arbor Townsliip, is 
J descended on both sides from lieroic and 
high minded people who considered principle above 
policy, and loyalt}' to God and liberty asaliove all 
considerations of comfort and e.ise. His parents 
were John and Persis (Hopkinson) Parsiiall, the 
former's ancestors being of Huguenot birtli,who fled 
from their native home during the persecutions of 
Louis XIV, and located in Orange County, N. Y., 
during the latter part of the seventeenth century. 
On the mother's side our subject comes from good 
old Revolutionary stock, they coming to this coun- 
try from England in 1636, as .Jonathan Hopkin- 
son and four of his sons, Caleb (Mr. Parshall's 
grandfather), David, .Tonathan, and John enlisted 
in the Continental Army and served the cause of 
freedom through that terrible struggle. 

Our sidiject was l)orn in Palmyra, X. Y.. Febru- 
ary 23, 1820. and his father, .lolui I'arshall, who 
was a contractor on the Erie Canal in New York, 
and also on the Cleveland and Columbus Canal in 
Ohio, removed in 1833 with his family to Michi- 
gan and was further engaged on the Detroit and 
S:iginaw turnpike and later on the Clinton and 
Kalamzoo Canal. 

The record of patriotism which we iiavi' already 
given does not by any means tell the history of 
the exploits of this family, as John Parshall was a 
captain in the "War of 1812 and saw battle at Lew- 
iston and received a land grant for his services, 
while his wife's father and five of her brothers 
were also engaged in this same war-like service 
and took part in the battle of Lundy's Lane. 
One son, Paul, was captured at Queenstown and 
was confined in (Jueljec until an exchange was 



effected. John Parshall died at Mendon, St. .Jos- 
eph County, Mich., October 7. 18.58, and his widow 
received a pension through the remainder of her 
life which lasted some twenty years. 

Our subject spent his early days lalioring with 
his father in the different enterprises which he un- 
dertook. In 1841 they were large contractors on 
the Illinois and Michigan C^anal and were success- 
ful and prosperous in their work, l)ut when the 
State of Illinois suspended work on the public en- 
terprises they were thrown into financial diflicid- 
ties which greatly embarrassed them, but they 
were so happy as to be able to iiay all obligations 
and soon began life again. 

The children who came to bless the union of 
.James Parshall and Esther McFarlend are Julian 
G., of Bucyrus, Ohio, Adrian .J., who is connected 
with the bank at Cheyenne, Wyo.; Florence, who is 
now Mrs. C. 11. Henry of .VuSahle. Mrs. Parshall 
died in 18.56 and her husband then mariied Chris- 
tiana Culbertson of Tecumseh. Mich., by whom he 
had one son, Charles T., who is now married to 
Miss Annie While and lives on the farm. Mr. 
Parshall in February. 186U, was called to lay in 
her grave this companion, and in November, 1870, 
he married Mrs. Sarah (Twamley) Stevenson, his 
present wife, who has borne him one child, Lena, 
a young lady of seventeen and a student in the 
High School. 

Mrs. "Parshall is a daughter of .lohn and Ellen 
(Molyneaux) Twamley, natives of Ireland, where 
Mr. Twamley had carried on a mercantile business 
in Dul)lin. His daugiUer was boin September 
25. 1836, in Lyndon Township, this county, and 
was for several years the wife of Francis L. Steven- 
son of Dexter. After his death, which took place 
September!!. 1861. she removed to Ann Arbor, 
which was her bouic until her marriage with Mr. 
Parshall. Siie bad two children by her previous 
marriage: lOllen L., wife of W. I). Washliurn, .an 
able attorney of Ciiicago. She departed this life 
at her home in Chicago, October 15, 1891; Harry, 
died August 16, 1864, .aged sixteen months. 

The farm of Mr. Parshall comprises some one 
hundred .acres and upon it lie has five thousand 
peach trees and about thirteen hundred peai' trees. 
His crop generally averages about two thousand 



298 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



bushels of peaches and he makes a specialty of 
fruit. He was the first man to settle upon land 
between Ann Arbor and Geddesburg when there 
was not a road nor a tree cut thi-oiigh this section. 
He stands at the head of the fruitgrowers in this 
county as he has an orcliard of six thousand five 
hundred trees, mainly peaches, and all are llic 
finest grades of fruit. 

In 1842 our subject received a commission as 
Captain of Company A, Nintli Regiment Michigan 
Militia. In politics he always affiliates with tiie 
Democratic party and was t'tjunty Drainage Com- 
missioner from 1862 until 1«7<I. He has also been 
Treasurer of the Washtenaw County Agricultural 
and Horticultural Society, and has held the same 
oHice in both the county Pomological Society and 
the Pioneer .Societv of AVashtenaw County'. 



^OHN H. SPERRY. the son of Samuel A. and 
Miranda M. (Page) Sperry was born in Ann 
^j^ Arbor in 1836, and here received not only 
Ij^f/ his fundamental but fuller education. Af- 
ter his father purchased the farm in 1845 it became 
his liome and he was there trained in the practical 
duties of agriculture, which he h.is continued to 
follow. The father, Samuel A., w.as born in Hart- 
ford, Conn., October 10, 1804, and was there edu- 
cated. He was one in a family of nine whose 
names were as follows: William, Creorge. .losci)li, 
Samuel, John, Ansel, Lyman, Harriett, and one 
other sister. Lyman, who is the only one now sur- 
viving, is a blacksmith at Saginaw. 

The family were early settlers of Connecticut, 
the grandfather, Samuel, heing of Irish blood, and 
the grandmother being of Dutch stock. The father 
of our subject came from Hartford to Michigan, 
his brother William preceding him to this part of 
the country and starting a sliop at Ypsilanti. Judge 
De.Kter, of Dexter, built a shop for him there, and 
endeavored to have him locate near him. His first 
house in Ann Arbor was built in 1827, on what is 
now the site of the Stael)ler Manufactt>rv. His 
own mother had died some years before, and his 



father's health having failed liehad been the sup- 
port of the family from the age of fourteen. He 
was a skilled mechanic and his industry and ability 
soon gave liim tlie needed start in life, and he soon 
was alile to accumulate proi)erty. His brother 
(ieorge was his (iartner for a number of years, and 
.lames, a miu uf his, is still living in the county. 

In Uuftaid. N. v., tlie young man had met Mir- 
anda, the daughter of Rufus Page, who settled in 
Superior Township in 1826, and this young lady 
became liis wife in 1829. Her brother Stejihen is 
now the only one of the family remaining in this 
part of the Slate. She was born October 28, 1812, 
in jNIassachiusetts, and her death occurred May 28, 
1888, in her seventy-sixth year. All of Samuel 
Sj)errv"s brothers came to Michigan at various 
times, l)ut a son of George is the only one now 
living in the county. He made his first piuchasc 
of land about the year 1830, .and added to tlu' 
farm at different times, .and finally made his liome 
njion it in 1839. 

The fatiier of our subject withdrew fiom liis 
business in town some three or four j-ears prior to 
his deatli, and erected a shop on the farm. .Vliout 
1841 he built the present house, much of tlie work 
on which he did himself. His business grew to 
immense proportions, and developed into a w.agon 
and carriage manufactory in Ann Arbor. He lie- 
gan to learn his trade .at the age of eight years, as 
his father was an edge tool manufacturer, and 
made a specialty in this line. He worked at the 
forge and anvil until the veiy last week of his life. 
While in pai'tnership with Lum Woodruff, he be- 
gan to manufacture barometers, carrying this on 
extensively for four years, but finally abandoned 
the enterprise. He cast the first plow that was 
ever cast west of Detroit. He was an old-line 
Whig, .and was ever interested in politics and used 
often to say that he cast his first vote for .Vndrcw 
Jiickson. 

Our subject gave special attention to the deal- 
ing and developing of the farm, and his one hun- 
dred and sixty acres constituting the homestead, is 
finely cultivated. His father's family consisted of 
four children, two of whom died in inf.ancy, the 
two who lived being our subject and George Ed- 
ward, who lives in Pittslicld Townsliip. As soon 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



299 



as lie was old enough to take the inanageinent of 
the farm off the hands of his fatlier he did so, am] 
started to learn the blacksmith's trade, Imt after 
working at it one day, he was taken ill, and for 
three years suffered with the chills and fever, and 
he did not try to further prosecute his apprentice- 
ship, hut contented himself with general farming. 
John Sperry was married Ai)ril 28, 1864, to Miss 
Kittie C. Snyder, daughter of John Snyder, an 
early settler in this county. She was born June 
12, 1837, and died June 23, 1890, leaving three 
daughters: Jliranda Belle, aged twenty-three; Car- 
rie May, aged twenty; and Ora Page, a young girl 
of fifteen years. These daughters are .all at home, 
and brighten and cheer the honsehold, which feels 
the loss of the mother. Tliey are still pursuing 
their studies, the elder being a Senior in the I'ni- 
versity and Carrie a Junior in the same institution, 
while Ora is a Sophomore in the High Solif)<>l. 
Miss Belle has also had some experience iu teach- 
ing, as she was for one year thus engaged in tlie 
city schools. They are all members of the ^Ictho- 
dist Episcopal C'hurch in which INIr. Sj)erry has been 
active for over thirty years. Mrs. Spei-ry was a 
prominent church worker, and was identified with 
the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and all 
temperance work. Air. Sperry is an active Prohi- 
biti<mist and an ardent supporter of the temper- 
aiu-e movement. 



^>^^<m 



\i?UDGE J. WILLARl) BABBITT. The gen- 
tleman whose sketch is here given is the pre- 
^_, I siding genius of the Probate Court of Wash- 
1^^' tenaw County, and is one of tlie oldest and 
most prominent attorneys in Ypsilanti. lie figures 
conspicuously in political circles, and in him the 
Democratic party finds one of the strongest of its 
representatives in this locality. Judge Babbitt was 
iHini in Ontario County, N. Y., in what is now 
(ioriiain. but at that time Be.thel. His natal day 
was November 31. 1836. He is a son of Dr. .lolm 
\V. Babbitt, who was born in Danville. \'t. 

Our sulijcct's patern;il urnudsirc. I)i-. Iri IJiili- 



l)itt. was a native of Massachusetts, where he was 
a pr.acticing physician and surgeon. He, how- 
ever, removed to A'crmont, and was there a pio- 
neer physician in Caledonia County in the city 
of Danville. He served in the War of 1812, .and 
when his decease finally occurred in IXanville he 
was ninety- years old. He was of English dcscenl. 
Our subject's father was a graduate of the Medical 
College at Burlington, on Lake Champlain, an<l 
after finishing his course located in Vermont. In 
1828 he went to New York and practiced medi- 
cine in Ontario County, being one of the old style 
practitioners, who was constantly equipped with a 
horse and saddle b.ags. In 1848 he came to Mich- 
igiin with his fiimily, having the previous year 
made a prospecting tour through the State. Lo- 
cating in Ypsil.anti, he here esl.ablished a fine prac- 
tice, and continued in his profession until his 
death. He served as County Coroner for a num- 
ber of yeais and when his decease occurred, in 
January. 1891, he had very nearly reached the age 
of ninety years. He was a man of remarkable 
constitution and one who was highly respected in 
this city. Babbitt Street in Ypsilanti is so named 
for him. 

Before her marriage our subject's mother was a 
Miss Philinda Walker, who wjis born in Litchfield, 
Conn. She was a daughter of Silas Walker, who 
was also born in Connecticut. He was a lawyer, 
hut for years was in the employ of the Govern- 
ment at Albany, N. Y. Later he settled at Gor- 
ham, where he purchased a farm, running it in 
connection with his work for the Government. He 
died at his farm at the age of eighty-six years. 
Mrs. Babbitt's mother died in 1889, in the month 
of October, when she was nearly eighty years of 
age. She was a member of the Episcopal Church. 
Our subject is one of thre(! children, he being the 
oldest of the family. The second in birth, Charles 
^^^, resides at Jackson and is a train dispatcher on 
the Michigan Central Railroiid; George W. is 
Chief Train Dispatcher for the Canada Southern 
and is located at St. Thomas, Canada. 

Our subject w.as reared in his native State until 
he had reached years of maturity. He came to 
this State with his [larents in 1848. and from De- 
troit came by Strap IJaibdad tu Ypsilanti. His 



300 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



education was acquired in its rudiments in tlie 
common scliools of the city. Having two uncles 
who were attorney's of prominence at Geneva. 
N. Y., in lima our .'Subject went back to the Em- 
pire State and l>egan the .study of law under Cal- 
vin Walker. He remained with him until 1861, 
when he returned tu Michigan and entered the I'ni- 
versity of Michigan, graduating from the law de- 
partment in 1862. 

Like many another who prepared for a profess- 
ional course, our subject's loyalty and patriotism 
were fired by the strife of the Civil War. Future 
hopes were thrown to the winds and he entered the 
Commissary Department of the army as head clerk, 
his post being at Danville. Kj'., and he was lo- 
cated there and at Nicholasvillc until 186.'). Early 
in that year he returned to this place, but soon 
after went to St. Louis, and thence to Omaha. Xelj. 
AViien he first went there there were no railroads, 
the first being put through during Ws stay, and 
he rode on the first flat car which went out of 
Omaha in 1866. He was engaged in the practice 
of his profession in that city for a year, and dur- 
ing his stay there made a trip through the State, 
going two hundred miles beyond Kearney. Ne- 
braska at tliat time had not even a promise of 
being the prosperous and popular State it now is. 

In 1867 our subject returned to Ypsilanti and 
estal)lished a law practice. Here, in 1875, he 
formed a partnership with Judge Emerick. now of 
Alpena. They maintained their partnership from 
1875 to 1878. After that Judge Babbitt was en- 
gaged with Mr. GritHn until 1881, since which 
time he has been alone. Oui- subject was married 
at Port Huron. Mich., in 1867, to Miss Florence 
.Smalley, who w.is lioni in Friendship, Allegany 
County. N. Y. She was a daughter of Mortimer 
C. Smalley, an early settler in this place, but now 
a resident of Caseville, this State. Mrs. Babbitt 
was educated and reared for the most [)art in this 
city. Our subject and his wife are the parents of 
four children, all daughters. Tiiey are: Nora, 
Alice L., Nancy P. and Florence C. ' They are all 
attendants at the Michigan State Normal School, 
and are bright and accomplished young ladies. 

Judge Babbitt was City Clerk fnim l.s6!) to 
1877. and was Circuit Court Coniiiiissiiiuer for 



eight yeai-s, at the expiration of which time he was 
elected Prosecuting Attorney, and in the fall of 
1888 was nominated on the Democratic ticket as 
Judge of the Probate Court. Being elected, he 
took his jwsition in January, 1889. His duties re- 
quire liis i)resence both in Ann Arbor and in this 
city. Our sul)ject is a strong Democrat and a 
member of both county and State conventions. 
He has always been an ardent and interested 
worker in b>eal and State politics. 



^-i— r-<— ^. 



RA T. COLBY, deceased. AVlien a citizen of 
worth and character has departed from this 
ii life, it is meet that tliose who survive him 
should keep in mind his life work, and should 
iiold up to the knowledge and emulation of the 
young his virtues and the characteristics which 
distinguished him and made him worthy of the 
esteem of his neighbors. We, therefore, present 
to our readers a narrative of the life of the repre- 
sentative pioneer whose name we have just given. 
He was a native of AVashington County, Vl.. and 
was born September 21, 1810, being a st)n of Levi 
and Rachel Colby. His early training and school 
were taken in his native State, and he there grew 
to manhood. 

The young man now decided to establisii a 
home of his own, and to that end took to himself 
a wife in tiie person of Irene Merritt, who was 
born ill AVashington County, A"t., February 3. 
1820, and a daughter of Giles and Sarah Merritt. 
Their union took place September 29, 1838, and to 
them were born six children, two of whom are 
living — Henry and Sarah, which latter is the wife 
of R. AVortley. Shortly after their marriage 3Ir. 
and Mrs. Colby emigrated to the AA'olverine State, 
and for about two years made their home in Y'psi- 
lauti. Their next home was the farm where the 
widow of our subject now resides, which is situ- 
ated on section 31, in Ypsilanti Township. Here 
they made their home in the primeval forests and 
undertook hard pioneer work. They worked to- 
gether with great unity and took thorough enjf)y- 



A 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



301 



inent iu their mutual enterprises, and before his 
death they had subdued the wild farm and liad it 
in a liiglily cultivated state. 

Our subject died June 3, 1H««, and the county 
then lost one of its most honorable and honored 
citizens and venerable pioneers. He was known 
far and wide for integrity and fair dealing, and 
enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all who 
knew him. His political views brought him into 
sympathy with the Republican party. To his 
widow he left two hundred acres of fliu' land, the 
))roduct of their life work together. Mrs. Colby 
shares in the esteem which is given to the pioneers 
of this section, and has the affectionate regard 
of the community. She is an earnest member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Cliurch. and is efticient in 
its service and in the charitalilc work in which it 



]^-f^e 



T/OHN II. LE.MEN, This well-known physi- 
cian and surgeon of Ypsilanti who is prom- 
inent not only in his profession but in 
Ijolitical and social circles was liorn in Liv- 
ingston County, this State, near Whitmore Lake, 
on November 18, 1857. He has succeeded in his 
practice Dr. Knapp and is the only practicing phj'- 
sician in the Fifth Ward. He is a man of fine 
physique and genial nature, and his pojiularity Iioth 
social and professional is undoubted. 

Hiram Lemeu, the father of our subject, was 
born in Steuben County, N. Y., and the grand- 
father AVilliam was also a farmer and brought his 
family to Michigan in 1831, traveling from Detroit 
to Wiiitmore Lake by team and taking uj) three 
luindred and thirty acres of woodland in (ireen 
Oak Township. There they made their home in a 
log house and the grandfather lived to reach the 
.age of ninety-eight. He was a true pioneer in spirit 
and a huntsman of considerable skill. 

Hiram Lemen was a mere boy when he came here 
and came into possession of the old homestead, hav- 
ing about one hundred acres of land, and died here 
uf pneumonia at the age of lifty-four. His death 



was unexpected, as he was .-i man of strong con- 
stitution, but after.a nine days' sickness he expired. 
He was prominent in the township affairs and held 
various offices. 

Minerva Highland was the maiden name of the 
mother of our subject, and she was born in (4rove- 
land. Livingston County, N. Y. Her father was 
of Scotch birth and died soon after bringing his 
family to Michigan. He was an earnest Republican 
and a devoted member of the Baptist Church. The 
mother still resides on the old homestead and is 
now sixty-four years of age. Her three children 
are Clarence A., Frank II., and our subject. 

.John H. Lemen studied in the district schools 
until he reached the age of sixteen and then 
took one year iu the Ann .\rbor High School 
and all through his youth he cherished the hope of 
studying medicine, although he found it necessary 
to remain at home for a few years after his father's 
death in oi'der to keep affairs running in the 
proper channel there. In 1878 he entered the 
Medical Department of the University of Michigan 
and pursued his studies there, still remaining at 
home during the spring season to care for the farm. 
In 1880 he entered the Michigan College of Medi- 
cine at Detroit, taking his degree of Doctor of 
Medicine in 1881. 

The young physician now looked about him for 
a location and decided to go to Dakota, being at- 
tracted by prospects in the valley of the Jim River. 
He located at Hitchcock in Beadle County, and 
after practicing there for three years his wife's ill 
health induced hiui to return to Michigan and he 
threw up a large and .successful practice for her 
sake and located in Dixboro, Washtenaw County, 
where he engaged in practice here for iive yeai'S. 
But this sacrifice was rendered futile by the death 
of this beloved wife, the spring following his re- 
turn to this State. 

In April, 1891, Dr. Leuieu bought out the prac- 
tice of Dr. R. E. Knapp one of the oldest physicians 
of this city, and locating here engaged in prac- 
tice, having not only a city clientage but also a 
six-mile ride iu the country. Besides carrying on a 
general practice he makes something of a specialty 
of treating catarrh with the compressed air treat- 
ment anil in thi> is ijuiti' successful. 



302 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



The marriage of Dr. Lemen with Lizzie II. Field, 
took place at AVhitmore Lake in the fall of 1881. 
She was boru in (ireeii Oak Township and thither 
she returned to die in tlie spring of 188t). The 
second marriage of this profe.ssional gentleman 
took place in Superior Township, this county in 
1888 and he was then united with MatideS. Shank- 
land, who was born in Superior Township, and 
received a thorough education at tlie State Xjrmal 
School, after which she taught for a ninnlier of 
years. 

The two children who iiave ))rightened thehonii' 
of Dr. Lemen and his good wife are Ivah and 
Bessie. The Doctor has been Health Officer of Su- 
perior Township for five years and Examining 
Physician of the Red C'ro.ss Organization, besides 
lieing a member of the Masonic oi'der and the 
Knights of the Maccaljees. He is identified with 
the Washtenaw County Medical Society and is 
considered one of its shining lights, and in the 
Republican county conventions he is frequently a 
delegate, and there as everywhere his judgment is 
respected and hi> opininii nought. 



LFRED DAVKN]H)RT. Prominent in ag- 
itJl ricultural circles is the gentleman of whom 
li we now write, who was born in Saline 
^^ Township, this county, January 17, 1844. 

His parents, Abraham and Jemima C. (Hobbs) 
Davenport, were lioth Ijorn and reared in Ontario 
County, N. Y., where the father was a farmer, and 
they came to IMichigan in 18;3;5 and located in Ra- 
line Township, this county. His father was thus 
a pioneer of Washtenaw County and in consequence 
of this the boy did not fare well from an educa- 
tional point of view as his district school educa- 
tion was limited to winters mostly. 

Young Davenport remained at home until he 
reached the age of twenty-five, although he had 
begun life for himself upon his father's farm when 
twent\-tw() years old. In ISTOhi' came to York 



Township and located on section 20, taking a farm 
of one hundred acres which he cultivated for some 
seventeen years, after which he came in 1887 to the 
place where he now resides, which comprises ninety 
acres (^f fine fariiiiug land in a high state of cidti- 
vation. 

Alfred Davenport was married November 28, 
186.5, to Mar^-, daughter of S. B. and Lucy (Moore) 
Newton of tiiis county and two children have come 
to brighten this union, namely: Mansfield M. born 
.July IH. 1873 and Lucy J., born April 3, 1877. and 
both of them are still beneath the parental roof. 
Mr. Davenport keeps all kinds of live stock and 
follows stock-raising and mixed farming. His 
political views bring him into line with the Demo- 
cratic part^- .and he has held the office of Supervi- 
sor since 1883 being now upon his ninth term, .and 
has been Chairman of the Board for two years. 
Previous to that time he was Treasurer of the 
township for two years and has also been a school 
officer for four or five years as well as Commissioner 
of Highways. 

The famil}' of our subject are attendants at the 
Cniversalist Church, although they are not con- 
nected with any religious organization. The father 
is a Patron of Industry and held the office of 
County President of that organization for one year. 
Although his farm was all under cultivation when 
he came to it he has made great improvements upon 
it and it is now one of the handsomest estates in 
York Township. 



^^ 



^ ILO BENHAM, a representative farmer 
and stock-iaiser of Ypsilanti Township, is 
I* like many of the citizens of Michigan, a 
New Yorker l\v liirth. and Dutchess 
County was his native home, and he was born .Inly 
29,1809. His mother was S.allie (Clinton) lien- 
ham, and his father, Silas Benham, was a soldier in 
the AVar of 1812, .and the}' were both natives of 
t'onnecticut. The father removed in 1820 from 
Duclie-ss to Ontario County, and the boy w.as there 
reaicd to nianliooil. ;Ln(l learned the coopers' trade. 




^^^>^^^ 



MA, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



305 



and received a limited education in the district 
schools. His father carried on the double vocation 
of a farmer and a cooper. 

The young- man was married in New York, on 
the oth of March, 183;'), to Nancy Coe, a daughter 
of Isaac and Nancy (Kesler) Coe, who was horn 
November l(i, 1813, in Rockland County, N Y. 
Six cliildren resulted from this union, and four of 
them still live to comfort their father in his declin- 
ing years. The eldest was Harriet, wife of .1. K 
Mowry; and the second daughter is Delia, wife ol 
Clarence Elliott. Horatio and Andrew arc the 
two sons, the second one being now deceased, and 
and Emma and Florence complete the niunber. the 
youngest daughter having died. 

The removal of the family from New York to 
W.aslitenaw Cojiinty, Mich., took place in 1838, and 
the new home was found in Ann Arlior Township 
for many years, liefore their removal in 186() to 
the farm where tliey now reside. The home farm 
now consists of one hundred and thirty .acres of 
beautiful land, wliicli is higlily cultivated and 
most productive, and it is the result of the lalior 
of this industrious and enterprising man. who 
came here with but small means, and has thus 
gained for his family a handsome competence. His 
faithful wife has been for more than half a 
century his earnest and faithful co-adjutor in 
every enterprise, .and the joy and comfort of his 
home. 

^fr. Henham went to California in 1850, going 
b\ way of the Panama Route, being forty- five 
days on the water and occu))ying a year and a 
half in his entire trip. In the spring of 1853 he 
.again made a Californinn trip returning in the 
spring of 18.") I, and on liotli occasions he p.assed 
consideraltle time in the gold mines of the far 
West. His political views have brought him into line 
with the rank and file of the Democratic party, and 
aside fi'om parti.san measures he is an active worker 
in every plan to promote the prosperity and well- 
being of the township. Mrs. Benham is an earnest 
and efficient member of the Presbyterian Chuich, 
and is one of the workers in the Home and For- 
eign Missionary Societies of that organization. 
She is descended on her mother's side from Oer- 
man stock; her ]iaternnl ancestors were English. 



and she is proud to recount thai her fatlier was 
active in the conflict of 181-2. This worthy geiilU'- 
man and his intelligent wife are time-honored citi- 
zens in this lowility, and are liighly honored by a 
larye circle of friends. 



^()IINHA(iEN. Among the (Jerman-Ainei- 
can citizens whose work has been of value 
ill Washtenaw County, we are jjlcased to 
mention the gentleman whose portrait ap- 
pears on the ojjijosite page. This resident of Ann 
Arbor was born at Charle, Prussia, .lanuarv 19, 
1819. His father .lohn R. Ilagen, died when the 
son was but three months old and the mother, 
whose maiden name was Annie Maze, had some 
hard struggles to keep the family together and 
care for them through their minority. John is the 
youngest in her family of six; one of his brothers. 
Barnard, is still living in Pru.ssia and is now sev- 
enty-five years old; a sister, Ann Catherine Wcssel, 
who is now eighty-six years old, lives in Salem 
Township, this county, with a son. 

.\t the age of eighteen our subject moved into 
Holland, having lived near the Holland line, and 
remained there for three years. Having then 
reached his niiijority he w.as obliged to enter the 
Prussian Army at Munster and served for two 
years, becoming quite proficient in military tactics 
as he took part in man.\' sham liattles. At the end, 
of two years he received a furlough and then came 
to Ann Arbor in .June, 1844, and undertook work 
for John Cadiz who lived on the Lodi road, work- 
ing for a ilOO a year. He also served All S|)eriy 
and afterward worked for Augustus Maikliani foi' 
three jears. 

Mr. Hagen w.as now prepared to purchase prop- 
erty-, and upon New Year's Day, 1848, he bought 
eighty acres just north of the city of Ann Arbor. 
He settled on the place and during July following 
brought home a bride in the person of Catiierine 
Feldkamp whose family had come over in the same 
colonv as himself. Her father died about three 



:5()6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



weeks after coining here from the effects of a sun- 
stroke. Mr. Hagen lias five hundred acres in the 
home farm in Ann Arbor Township, l)esides two 
hundred and fifteen acres in Salem Township, upon 
which his son Lewis lives. He has a pleasant home 
in the city on West Liberty Sti'eet. besides owning 
two other neat residences, and liis farm is most ex- 
cellently improved. 

Mrs. Catherine Hagen died in 1869 and after 
three and one-half years our subject was again 
married, his present wife having borne the maiden 
name of Johanna Frederika Donke. The first wife 
bore to him the following children: Mary, now 
Mrs. Fred Haas; Jacob, Frank and Emma, who aie 
on the home farm near this cit3', and Lewis who 
has charge of the farm in Salem Township. The 
present wife has the following family, all of whom 
are at home — Lydia, Tillie, Ferd and Anna. Mr. 
Hagen is a fine specimen of the German peojile 
and an active Democrat, taking delight in the fact 
that the local offices have been taken from the Re- 
publicans who formerl}' controlled the official pat- 
ronage of Ann Arbor. He is a devout member of 
the Lutheran Church and a strong supporter of its 
work. 



a^^li^il 



^ir^/ AHNSBY W. HORNER. The name at the 
Jt?^ head of tliis sketch is that of a prominent 
/li .agriculturist, stock-dealer and shipper of 

Washtenaw County, residing in Augusta Township 
and a gentleman whom we take the pleasure in in- 
cluding among the representative men of this 
Ai.iuM. He is a native of Washtenaw County, 
having l)een born here June 26, 1842. He is a son 
of William and .lemima Horner, who were natives 
of England. William Horner, the father of our 
subject, w!is an early settler in Augusta Township, 
locating on section 1 0. 

The first home of these English emigrants was a 
log cabin in the woods and in this they resided for 
many years. The father still survives and makes 
his home with his son and our subject; his wife 
passed away from this life in 18K.'?. He was the 



father of five children. Tlwise surviving are as 
follows: Farnsby W., Ellen. David and Charlotte. 
Ellen is the wife of Smith Micks; Charlotte is the 
wife of James Stevens. The father is now past 
seventy-three years of age and is counted among 
the representative pioneers of the township. 

The original of our sketch attained manhood in 
tlie home of his youtli and amid scenes of pioneer 
life. He well remembers when it was no trick to 
be able to shoot a deer or two in the morning 
when wild turkeys was as plentiful as gophers now 
are. He lielped liis father with the work of the 
farm and was tarly grounded in .agricultural la- 
bor. He received his education in the district 
schools of the township and although he wa.s de- 
nied the advantages of more liberal education, is 
an intelligent man with bright and original ideas 
of his own and is gifted with thatquality for which 
tlic i)ioneer mother prayed, that her son. to whom 
she had given collegiate advantages, might be 
l)lessed — the gift of gumpticm — which with his 
high-bred principles of truth and hoimr liave made 
him a success in the world. 

June 8, 1863, Mr. Home]' was married to Miss 
.Tenuy Kelley, a daughter of Christian Kelley, 
formerly a pioneer of Ypsilanti Township. She is 
the sister of B. D. Kelley of the ssinie township and 
of whom a biographical sketch apiiears in another 
part of this work. To our subject and wife have 
been born two children — Stella A., born January 
14, 1877; and William C, August 7, 1884. 

Our subject is the owner of ninety-six acres of 
land, which lie farms to a good purpose. It is nut 
a large tract but he man.ages it so skillfully that 
it yields as abundantly as does the larger tract of 
many another man. There are excellent buildings 
upon his pliice, the family residence being a model 
of neatness and attractiveness, large enough for 
the family needs and is well furnislied. nothing 
too good for use and yet all lieing of such a qual- 
ity as to appeal to the taste and refinement of the 
lieiiolder. His barns and outliuildings are kei)t in 
.■xcellent repair and arc char.ictcrized by the tlmr- 
oughness in llnish that distinguishes his entire 
place. Having ever been dependent upon his own 
exertions, his efforts have been crowned with suc- 
cess to a ^ratifying degree. Personally an unas- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



307 



suminii- and modest man, lie yet commands the 
esteem and liking of all bis neighbors. Mr. Horner 
has identified himself witli the Ancient Order of 
Inited Workmen at Ypsilanti and his association 
with this society has undoubtedly been of advant- 
age to him. A believer in the tenets and doctrines 
of the Republican party, he casts his vote when in 
national questions with that party, l)ut in local 
affairs he is guided by his personal judgment of llic 
candidate for office rather than his party allilia 
tions. 

Our subject and his family occu])\- an assured 
position in the social life of the community. In- 
telligent and inclined to do theii- ])art in all social 
relations, they are popular, and their home, which 
is enlivened by the youth of their children, is the 
meeting-place for the best class of society in the 
vicinity. 



^^- 



'UGUSTUS FREEINIAN. This piominent 
pioneer of Ypsilanti Tt)\vnship, Washte- 
naw County, who has his home on section 
28, is a native of Seneca County, N. Y., 
and was born February 11, 1H22. His father, 
Samuel J. Freeman, was a native of New York and 
was reared among the J)utch in the Mohawk ^'al- 
ley. The mother bore the maiden name of Hannah 
IjOsey and was a native of New Jersey. It was 
about the year 1830, when our subject emigrated 
with his parents to the AVolverine State making 
their home upon new land in Salem Township, 
Washtenaw County. His parents had ten children, 
of whom the following survive, .lames J.,., Augus- 
tus, Morris, DeWitt, Maiy, the wife of Peter 
\'anvoris, and Eliza, the wife of Peter Vangiesen. 
The usual experiences of a pioneer boy might be 
recited as the story of this lioy's life and liis 
scliiKil advantages were limited to the distiict 
schools of his township. In work and study bis 
early years passed and he grew up to a vigorous 
and intelligent young manhood. 

The first marriage of Mr. Freeman united him 
with .Marv M. Kinvon. who bore him fi)Ui- children. 



namely: Willard A., Arlouine L., wife of Seley 
Davis; Roxanna, wife of C. Davis, and Charles H. 
The second marriage of our subject took place May 
24, 1877, and his bride, who bore the name of 
Maria A. Comstock, was a native of this count\-, 
where she was born November 13, 1843. She is a 
daughter of Edwin N. and Sarah Comstock and 
her father now i-esides in Ypsilanti. Her mother 
who died in 1869 came to this county when a child 
and Mr. Comstock came here so(jn after. They 
had nine children of whom the following are now 
living: Mary E., Mrs. Miller; Emeline, wife of 
.lohn Ambrose; Mrs. P'reeman, Edwin M., Flavins 
J., Belle, Mrs. Oscar Pester; and Alice M. wife of 
W. A. Freeman. Mrs. Maria Freeman has one 
daughter — Mary 1!. who is at home with her par- 
ents. 

It was in the year 18411 or 18;j(i that Mr. Free- 
man settled in the southeastern part of Yjjsilanti 
Township, and in 1870 he removed to his i)resent 
farm, where he owns eighty acres of land all under 
cultivation, which he has accumulated by hard 
labor and unflagging persistence. He is a Demo- 
crat in his political views and an earnest public- 
spirited citizen, being a strong believer in temper- 
ance and in the promotion of morality. Both he 
and his good wife are enjoying in their later years 
the fruits of industry and devotion to duty and 
have the esteem and respect of every one wlio has 
the privilege of their acquaintance. 



DMIHAL n. CAMP. The father of our 
subject was one of the pioneers of Wash- 
tenaw County, who made his way here 
during the Territorial days but was not 
allowed to live to reap the benefits of his early 
struggles. He came hither in 1833 and bought land 
of the Government in Ann jVibor Town,^lii)i. lie 
broiight his family to Michigan, but when within 
fourteen miles of the new home he was t.aken vio- 
lently ill and died of cholera in November, 1833, 
as did also his youngest daughter who was then 
about five years old. The widow and her six chil- 



:ios 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



dreii returned to New York and there made their 
home for two years, but in 1835 slie returned to 
Michigan and located on land which iiad lieen 
secured by her husband and hence made her home 
here until April, 1861, when she [mssed from life 
at the age of sixty-eight years. 

.Vdmiral B. is the eldest in a family of seven, 
four of whom are still living, namely': David, wlio 
lives in Isabella County; Jane, who is Mrs. Hufus 
1*. Walker of Dansville, this State; and Lorana. 
now the wife of Norman Dwight of Dansville, wl'"' 
formerly lived in Scio Township, this county. 
Our subject is therefore the only one of the family 
left iu this county. His brother, Elkanaii, who 
died in Colorado, where he had resided for four 
years, lived for a number of years on the farm and 
cared for the mothei- together witli his limtlier. A. 
B. Camp. 

The marriage of Admiral B. Camp and .Jeanettc 
Cockran took place February 27, 1839. This lady 
is a daughter of Edward K. Cockran wlio was an 
early settler here, but she was li()rn in New York 
l)cfore the migration of the family to the West. 
Mr. Cockran lived here for a numlier of years and 
did thorough pioneer work and removed about the 
year 1843 to Ingh.am County, where lie improved 
a new farm during the next decade upon which he 
placed Iniildings and which is in a good state of 
cultivation. 

The children who have been granted to the home 
of our worthy subject and his truly excellent wife 
are Harrison H., Diana, Plnebe, Everett. Edward 
and three who died in childliood — Elizabeth Caro- 
line. Mary and Phcebe. The eldest son lives near 
his father; Diana is also a resident of Ann Arbor 
Township and is the wife of Mich.ael Koberson. 
Phoebe is now Mrs. Frank I'arker of North field 
Township, and Everett lives in Isabella County. 

The Baptist Church of Ann Arl)or has had the 
hearty co-operation and membership of our subject 
for the p.ast forty years, and his good wife lias also 
been a member of this church from girlhood. Mrs. 
Camp's birth wa* April 30, 1816. in Clinton County. 
X. Y., about ten miles from Plattsburg, her father 
being Edward Everett Cockran, l)orn March 12. 
1 794 and her mother, Phtebe ( Jloore) Cockran, born 
.lune 1. 179(1. Thev settled in .\iiii Arbor Town- 



ship in 1833, upon section 1.5. and in 1840 went to 
Ingham County, where tliey remained until they 
ceased life, the father dying November 2, 18(!.')and 
the mother .September 20. 1859. One of their 
daughters. INIary. married Norman Dwight of Scio 
Township, and died in 1853. since which time Mrs. 
Canii) is the oiil\ representalive of ,the family in 
tliis townsliiii. 



"• ' ^^ 



RANKLIX lllXCKLEY. attorney-at-law. 
; has the distinction of being one of the 
oldest settlers resident in the ct)unty. He 
is the son of Sherman Hinckley, a native of Tolland 
County, Conn., whose father. Porter Hinckley, was 
also a New Englander. He was an early settler 
in Ontario County, N. Y., where he improved a 
farm. Our sul)ject's great-grandsire, John, was in 
the Hevolutionavy War, and his death was caused 
from cancer. He was of English descent. Our 
suliject's grandfather Hinckley was a farmer by 
calling but a man of literary tastes. He pursued 
the study of medicine quite tlioroughly, and prac- 
ticed to some extent. Our subject's father w.as by 
calling a shoe-maker and carpenter. He gave up 
his shoe-making trade, it being injurious to his 
health; he was also a tanner and currier. He was 
married in New York in 1831. At an earlv day 
he came to Jliehigan and entered a tract of land 
and then with Shipman Kilpatrick. went back from 
Ypsilanti to Detroit on foot, making the journey 
in an incredibly short time. He entered a tract of 
two hundred and forty acres of land in Pittsfield 
Township, on sections 35 and 36, and the deed 
which was signed by President Jackson is siili in 
till' family and the land also. 

Our subject's father settled, on coming to this 
State, in the oak openings, and building a log house 
in which our subject was born, began the work of 
improving the place. Mr. Hinckley. Sr.. was pros- 
pert)us and became the owner of four hundred and 
twenty acres of land six miles from Ypsilanti. He 
devoted himself to general farming and in 1850 
began raising Merino sheej). keeping from three 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



309 



hundred to tluvc luindii-fl and fifty head of slieep 
upon his place. He was elected to various ofliccs 
in the township. In early days he was a Wiiit;- 
but on the formation of the Republican |)artv trans- 
ferred his allegiance to it. The old gentleman was 
l)orn in Xovemher, ISii.i. and died in !March. 1891. 
Our subject's mother was before her marriage 
Mi.ss Orpha Gates and a native of Ontario County, 
N. V. She was the daughter of Horatio Gates, a 
native of England. He was a farmer and mechanic 
and coming to Michigan ))rior to 1831 settled in 
Washtenaw County as a farmer. In 1850 he removed 
to Barry County and died in Prairieville. Nine chil- 
dren were granted the parents of our subject. Four 
of the children are now living, three having died in 
childhood and two after reaching maturity. Our 
subject is the third in the family circle. He was 
born on section 35, Pittsfield Township, this State, 
August 7, 1836, and was reared on the home farm. 
He remembers in his boyhood how wild the sur- 
roundings of the place were, the forests not so far 
away in which the pigeons kept up a ceaseless, 
moiu'nful cooing. It was also a good place in 
which to hunt turkeys and in his boyhood days he 
had many sports outside of the district .school which 
he attended. He also went to the Union School at 
Yjjsilanti for one year and when twenty years old 
entered the Normal School and attended it for 
about two winters, working in the summers on a 
farm. The three following winters he was engaged 
in teaching, and in 1860 he was enabled to purchase 
sixty acres of land on section 24, Pittsfield Town- 
ship. Tills he improved and lived upon until 1866, 
when he sold it to his father, and locating in Ypsil- 
anti took up the study of law. He also studied 
one winter in .lackson in the oHice of Eugene 
Pringle cV Pomroy, and then came to Vpsilanti to 
study under S. M. Cutchion and in 18(!7 was ad- 
mitted to practice at the Michigan bar and lias 
been engaged in that ]irofession ever since. He 
attends to his regular practice and Ijesides is en- 
gaged to some extent in tlie real-estate business. 
Attorney Hinckley has a reputation that extends 
beyond his own county, his opinion being fre- 
quently referred to l)y lawyers in adjacent counties 
in Southern Michigan. 

Mr. Hinckley owns a residence and vincviud in the 



Fifth Ward on (irove Street and al80 a considerable 

amount of farm land in this county, Tuscola and 
llcirien Counties. lie mi ireover handles farm land 
for other parties. Our subject was married in 
Stony Creek Township, or what is now known as 
Augusta 'i'ownship, this county, March 26, 1862, 
to Miss Mar\' M. Redner, who was born in Stony 
Creek. She is a daughter of Coon Redner, an 
early settler and farmer in this county. She ac- 
quired her education there and at Adrian. Three 
children have been born to this couple. They are 
Carrie, Edward H. and Louisa. Mr. Hinckley is a 
I'ension Attorney and has a great deal of business 
in this direction. He has been a member of the 
Board of .\ldermen from the first ward for four 
years. He and his wife arc members of the Con- 
gregational Church, of which he has been a Trustee. 
They are aLso Sunday-school workers. Our subject 
is a Republican of a decided type and a man whose 
views are unchangeable. 



^^ HARLES G. WHEELER. This part of Mich- 
|( _ igan has [iroved a mine of wealth to thous- 
'^^(' ands of industrious and earnest farmers who 
have come hither from the East and from foreign 
countries, and by dint of hard work and enterprise 
have developed the resources which nature so lib- 
erally provided. Among these is the well-known 
citizen whose name appears at the head of this par- 
agraph, who was born in Bristol Township, Ontario 
County, N. Y., October 3, 1822. His parents, A. 
R. and Nancy (Gooding) Wheeler had their birth 
and training in New York, the father in (lenesee 
County and the mother in Bristol. 

In 1834 the father came to IMicliigan and located 
upon a farm in York Township, and our subject 
has been on this place since that 3'ear. He gave to 
his son a good common-school education and kept 
him in school until he reached the age of eighteen. 
The mother of our subject died December 1. 1877 
and the father passed from earth in .luly, 1884. 

Charles Wheeler was married October 15, 1844, 
to Eliza Jane, daughter of James Miller of Augusta 



310 



PORTRAIT AIS'D BIOGRAFHJCAL ALBUM. 



Township and to them have been granted threo 
children. Nantv A. born in l«5(l; Aaron R.. 
December 20. IJS.'iG; and Xettie S. in 18.57. The 
eldest daughter married W. W. Kelsie, of York and 
Xettie is the wife of B. S. Books, of Harvey, 111. 
The father of this family came into possession of 
the old homestead at tlie death of his father and 
his estate now comprises one hundred and thirty- 
five acres of excellent soil. The political ideas ex- 
pressed bj' the Repul)lican party in its declarations 
are tliose which were long indorsed by ilr. Wheeler 
but he now feels that the -'saloon in politics" de- 
mands the steady and united opposition of all true 
men, and he has allied himself with the Prohibition 
party. lie has never held any official position in 
either township or county but has steadily devoted 
himself to agricultural pursuits. Both he and his 
wife are members of the Baptist Church of York and 
in that connection are most useful in the religions 
and social life of the township. 



LKANAH P. DOWNKIv is a farmer on sec- 
tion 3. Sylvan Township, being i)roprietur 
I ^ of (if ty-three acres of land in this jilace and 
of one hundred and twenty acres in Lyndon Town- 
ship. Mr. Downer is a native of the towi of Man- 
diester. Ontario County, X. Y., and was liorn the 
28th of ilarch. 1812. He is the son of .loshuaand 
Betsey (Averill) Downer, natives of Vermont, who 
were married where our subject was born. The 
father was there engaged in farming fifty acres of 
land, but later kept the liotel in the village of 
Manchester. He came to Michigan in the fall of 
1833, and settled in Lima Township, one mile east 
of Chelsea, and was .at that time one of the pioneers 
of the county. He took u\) four hundred acres of 
land .and set himself to cleariiiu it off and here he 
lived and died. 

Our subject's father was a man to whom was 
iliven various to'vN'nshipottii'e.s. He served efficiently 
as Iligiiway Commissioner and was piesent on the 
organization of Lima Townsliip, voting at the first 



election. He was a Democrat in politics," and a 
Mason soci.illy. He served in the War of 1812. Of 
a family of five children born to our subject's 
parents, three are now living: tliey are Elkanah P.. 
DeWitt C. and James. The mother is a memlier 
of the Congi'egational Church. 

The ])ateinal grandsire of our subject was Steplieii 
Dowiier. a native of the .State of Vermont, who 
went to Kew York at an early day. He married 
.lane Spink, and together tliey came West to Mich- 
igan, and here they died .at the home of their son 
in Lima Township. Thej" had a family of seven 
children. ()ur subject's maternal grandsire was 
Elisha Averill, who married a Miss Russell. They 
were natives of Vermont and were engaged as fai- 
mers, making their home at Farmington, Ontario 
County, X. Y.. wliere they passed their lives. Mr. 
Averill was a soldier in the Revolutionary War 
and was generally called Gen. Averill. He was the 
father of six children. 

Mr. Downer educated in the district schoolr- 
of IVIanchester and was reared in the hotel of 
which his father was proprietor, and on the farm, 
coming West with his parents when twenty-one 
years of age, at which time his father gave iiim 
one luindred acres of land in Limn Township, 
and at liis death he gave him one liundicd acres 
more. This our subject improved and lived on 
until 1883, when he sold it and moved to Li\- 
ingston County where he purchased a fai'in in 
Conway Township, giving it his attention and 
management until .January, 1891. when he sold and 
bouglit where he now lives. 

Mr. Downer was married in 1840 to Mrs. Lamira 
Tryon. One child was the issue of this union. 
Both wife and child were taken away. He then 
was united to his present wife, whose m.aiden name 
was Asenath Sweet, of Sharon Townsliip, this 
county. He has become the father of two children 
by this marriage, a son and a daughter. The eldest, 
Helen, is now Mrs. Denman and the mother of two 
children — Luella and Myrtit. Thej' reside in 
Lyndon Township, this county. .Tames married 
Iza Foster and is the father of one child — William. 
The present Mrs. Downer is a daughter of David 
and Rhoda (Sternes) Sweet. The former w.as 
born in New York and was a farmer who came to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



311 



Mieliiitau at an early day and settled in tiiis county, 
where he was engaged in fanning until his deatli. 
Mrs. Downer is the only living child. 

Our subject is a I'rohilntionist, helieviug tlic 
future |iriis|iority of our couiitrv to depend largely- 
upon its morals. He was one of the Hrst School 
Inspectors elected in Lima Township and was also 
Clerk of the first election. While devoting himself 
to general farming, Mr. Downer raises much fine 
stock. He has full blooded .lersey cows and some 
fine horses. His home i.s a beautiful spot and 
characterized bvall the comforts of rural life. 



ii^^i^l^i'iQ 



j^^ AMIEL H. UOCKKS. The agricultural 

^^^ part of the community is its bone and 

H^_))) sinew, from which come the strength and 

vigor necessary to carry on .the affairs of 

manufacture, commerce and the State. When the 

farming people are composed of men and women 

of courage, enterprise, intelligence and integrity, 

prosperity will attend all departments of activity 

and this is pre-eminently the case in Washtenaw 

County 

The [)romineut farmer and st<.ick-raiser of whom 
we now write, resides in Ypsilanti Township and 
he is a native of Seneca County, N. Y., where he 
was born .July '.». l.s.Vi. His father, Israel Rogers, 
was born in Orange County, N. Y., and his mother 
Polly Brown was also a native of the Kmpire 
State. The father had Ijeen a soldiei' in the AVar 
of l«r2 and was of Scotch and English di.-rcnt. 
From early boyhood our subject was reared upon 
a farm and grew u]) to adopt the vocation of an 
agriculturist, receiving his training in the distrit 1 
schools in his neighborhood, which thorough but 
limited education he abundantly supplemented li\ 
a systematic and intelligent cour.se of reading. 

New Year's Day, 1859, was the date upon which 
a great event iu the life of our subject was cele- 
brated. It was his marriage with Klizabeth Pierce, 
a native of Steuben County, X. V., who was burn 
May '2-i. 1H8;!. Her parents, .lames ancl Eleanor 
Pierce, were natives of New York and her mateinal 



giand pa rents bore the name of Clark. Four chil- 
dren have bles.sed the home of oursubject, namely: 
Charles 1>., .\nne E., Edward P., and Nellie. It 
was in I S;ii) that Jlr. Rogers migrated with his 
family to Washtenaw County, where he became an 
early i)ioneer in York Township and remained a 
resident there until the spring of 1H«3, when he 
removed to section 2(1, Ypsilanti Township, where 
he now has his home. 

The beautiful farm of one hundred and thirty- 
three and one-half acres, which belongs to Mr. 
Rogers, represents much hard labor and enterprise 
and is the visible result of the work of oursubject 
and his worthy wife who has been his able assistant 
throughout the j'cars of their union. Mrs. Rogers 
is identified with the Presbyterian Church and in 
its labors is an efficient helper. 

The political views of ^h: Rogers are embodied 
in the declarations and platform of the Democratic 
party, but he is an earnest helper in anv effort put 
forth by either party which his judgment approves 
as adapted to bringing prosperity to the commun- 
ity. The social circles of Y'psilanti Township 
recognize in this worthy couple an element of great 
value and influential helpers in the promotion of 
intelligence and true sociability. 



-^^- 



■ ILLIA.AI A. Rl'SSELL. The enterprising 
member of the firm of Russell <t Ostrander, 
whose name is given above, grain mer- 
chants and handlers of all kinds of farm produce, 
whose place of business is in Willis, this State, is a 
native of Hamilton County, N. Y'., where he was 
born October 4, 1840. He is a son of William F. 
and (ietty (Abbott) Russell and was reared to 
niiuCs estate in his native county. He was brought 
up as a fanner boy, that being his fathei-'s occupa- 
tion and continued to be so engaged until he 
reached his majority. 

Mr. Russell received a good common-school edu- 
cation and aftei- he reached years of maturity em- 
barked ujion a large business experience. For a 
number of years he followed the lumber Inisiuess, 



312 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



his operations in this direction being mostly con- 
fined to Hamilton County. N. Y. Being an inde- 
pendent dealer, his efforts met with a laudable de- 
gree of success. Ou the breaking out of the war 
our subject's zeal and enthusiasm was fired, but not 
until August 29, 1864. did he finally join the 
forces and then entered the Fourth New York 
Heavy Artillerj' in Company D. which was part of 
the Second Corps of the Arm^- of the Potomac. He 
was engaged in the siege of Petersburg, in the bat- 
tle of Ream's Station, Amelia Courthouse and 
Southerland Station and other minor engagement."*. 
He was with Grant's army at Lee's surrender of 
Appomattox and was also a participant in the 
Grand Review at Washington. He received his 
jionorable discharge June 1,5, 1H()."), after which lie 
returned to his native State, where he resided un- 
til 1H73. 

.\t the date above mentioned Williani A. Kusm^U 
came to Waslitenaw County. .Mich., and look up 
his residence on a farm for a number of years, it 
being in Augusta Township. Three d.ays before en- 
listment our subject was married, August 31, 1864, 
to Miss Mary Bowm.Tu. a daughter of Isaac and 
Sophia (Sanford) I!iiwui:ni. of Hamilton County, 
X. Y. 

In the fall of 1><78 our subject engaged in the 
grain and produce business, making his station at 
Willis, this State. His first partner w.as W. H. 
Willings. the last-named gentleman being tiie sen- 
ior member of the firm. This partnership existed 
for nearly a year and in .luly, 1891. our subject 
entered into his present partnership with William H. 
Ostr.ander, under the firm title of Russell it Ostran- 
der. They carr\- ou a thriving business in buying 
and selling wheat, rye, oats, potatoes, beans, dressed 
hogs, i)oultry and all kinds of farm produce, 
beside* carrying that winter staple, hard and soft 
coal. 

Mr. Russell has been elected to several important 
township oflHces since residing here. He served as 
Township Treasurer for three years. He is a man 
who believes in the power of evolution in the chief 
creation of nature as well as in the lower orders, 
and is thoroughly progressive. He is a Democrat 
in his political liking and for years has been .asso- 
ciated with the Post of the fJrand .Vrmv of the 



Republic located at Ypsilanti. Mr. Russell is num- 
bered among the leading and most enterprising 
citizens of Willis, and is highly esteemed by his 
business associates aiid in his social relations. 



JI^ILLIAM THOMPSON. England numbers 
V many representatives among the best class 
^^' of citizens in Michigan. There is a stir- 
ring quality about the nationality that particularly 
fits them for pioneer life and we as Americans are 
greatly indebted to settlers of English birth for 
the rapid advancement made in our civilization, 
ill' whose name is at the head of this sketch and 
wlio is a representative pioneer in Washtenaw 
County, and who is at the present time a resident 
on section 35, Ypsilanti Township, is a native of 
Lincolnshire, England, and was born September 7, 
1821. Now a septuagenarian, the progress that the 
country has made and especially that portion in 
which he lives, is to him as familiar .as events in his 
own daily life. 

yiv. Thompson is a sou of William and .lane 
(Burress) Thon pson, both of whom were natives 
of England. His early life, which was spent in his 
native country, .and where he remained until he 
reached manhood, was passed in .agricultural em- 
ployment and he has all his life long been a farmer. 
His education was acquired in his native country, 
not perhaps with such advantages as are enjoyed 
to-day, but suflicient for practical business use. 

Ma_v 18, 1846, our subject was united in marriage 
to Miss Charlotte Alban, a daughter of William 
and Lucy Alban, natives of England. Mated in 
temperament and in nature this union proved to 
be most happy, and as the years passed eiglit chil- 
dren grew u)) about their parents. They are Sarah, 
Hattie, .lohn, AVilliam, George, Charles, Emma and 
Lina. Sarah is the wife of William Filkius; Hattie 
is the consort of Alfred .Tackson; Emma united her 
fate with that of William Sterling and Lina is the 
wife of David Owen. 

Mrs. Charlotte Thompson passing aw.ay from this 
life while yet in tlie vigor of her wom.anhood, our 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



313 



subject was again married January Ifi, 1880, liis 
present wife having been the widow of Henry 
Larkin, of Lenawee County, this State. In 18.")1 
our subject and his family emigrated to America, 
taking passage ut Liverpool on a sailing vessel and 
after an ocean voj'age of four weeks and four days 
landed at New York City and came direct to 
Wayne County, this .State, and there they resided 
for a numl)er of years. Altout 18(;9 they removed 
to Washtenaw Count_\- and settled on their present 
farm in Ypsilanti Townsliii). where they have since 
resided. .Mr. Thompson is tlie owner of eighty 
acres (if land and has himself accumulated all of 
which he is possessed. 

A Democrat in politics. Government in its jiurity 
and .strength is above all important to him irre- 
spective of party favors. Mr. Thom[)son is noted 
for the opeu-heartedness, geniality and tlie public 
spirit that distinguishes his countrymen. He is a 
member of the Methodist Episcoi)al Church and 
his family are active workers in that bodj'. Our 
subject is a fine specimen of the industrial class 
that Great Britain sends to our shores. He has be- 
come a ioyal adherent of American institutions 
and his adopted country is to him. par excellence, 
the country of his iieart. He is by all recognized 
as a man wliose standard of honor is very high and 
he commands the respect of the business men with 
whom he is associated, as well as those with whom 
he is in merely social touch. His well-cultivated 
farm attests to his success in life. 



'^Y/OHN SLATFOKD. A traveler journeying 
along the road on section 18, Ann Arbor 
Township, about two miles nortliwest of 
'(^/' the city, will see the attractive home and 
beautifully cultivated farm of <iur subject wliicli 
evidently shows the hand of a practiced and sys- 
tematic farmer. ^Ir. Slatford brought with him 
from his native home in Wiltshire, England, where 
he was born September 30, 1817, the best traits of 
the English yoemanry. and his life here has made 
this a ii\atti'r of worthy record. His father. .Job 



Slatford, was apprenticed at tlie age of fourteen years 
to a coppersmith and worked for one man for fif- 
teen years, being the foreman of his shop during 
the latter part of that time. Notwithstanding his 
success in his trade he never thoroughly liked it 
and upon coming to this country took up carpen- 
tering which lie carried on throughout liis life at 
Ann Arljor. 

Tlie famil\' of this Englishman consisted of thir- 
teen children of whom seven grew to maturity and 
five are now living, namely: .John, Caroline, Mrs. 
William Bullis at Morris, 111.; .Jane, Ro.sa, Mrs. Dr. 
O. W. Marshall of Jefferson ville, Ohio; and Ahbie, 
Mrs. Alexander Kerr of Ann Arbor. The two 
youngest daughters are now widows. The father 
is a Republican in his political views, and early 
espoused the cause of Abolition, and cast his vote 
for James G. Birney when he was a candidate. Job 
T. Slatford and wife were married May 12, 181(5 
in Mary Kadcliff's Churcii in the city of Bath. This 
church is noted in liistory as being the place where 
the first shot was made by dropping molten lead 
from a great height into water. The maiden name 
of the mother was Anna Biggin and she came with 
her husband and children to the United States in 
1832, her son John being tiien fifteen years old. 
They secured eighty acres of land fiom the 
Government and the father removed onto this 
tractin 1835, and carried it on for four years. In 
1844 John who had done iiiucli of the work of 
clearing and preparing tlie land bought the farm 
of his father and lived on it hntil 18.51. 

The father and son now made together a trip to 
California, and while on the ocean the father died 
March 24, 1851. of Panama fever at the age of 
fifty-six. John remained in California for two 
years and a half, mining part of the time near 
Placerville and returned East in the fall of 1853, 
and the following spring establislied himself on the 
farm where he has ever since made his liome. He 
has the original eighty which his father first took 
and the deed to it is signed by Andrew Jack.son, 
bearing date June, 1832. 

Mr. Slatford has his sister Abbie making her 
home with him. She was born in Ann Arbor, Octo- 
ber 15, 1833, and was married to Alexander Kerr 
who was engaged in the factory but who died 



314 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



October 14, 1879. He was her second husband, her 
first union being with "William Ilurrell of Owosso 
upon whose death she was left witli two ciiildreu : 
Carrie G. who is now a dressmaker at .Vnn .Vrbur 
and George W. who carries on contracting and 
l)iiilding at Ypsilanti. She had one child liy .Mr. 
Kerr — Clyde ('., who is a printer and in tlie eiii- 
pio.v of the Washtenaw Tiinps. The tirothers and 
.■listers of Mr. Slatford who have passed away are 
William Henry. Rosetta, Ellen. Hannah. Charles 
Henry, and Julia. This sister was the housekeeper 
fo:- her brother, our sul\ject. from 1«.54 until IXIHI 
when she dic(l upon the l"2th of .May, Iiaving 
reached the age of fifty-five. There were two sis- 
ters younger than Julia, namely, Minnie and Min- 
erva who also died in childhood. 



.^|<^^-^^ 



ri/_^ ENRY A. HAMMOND. One of the prom- 
rjl inent and well-to-do agriculturists of Saline 
i^W^ Township, who is quite as conspicuous for 
(^) his modest and retiring nature as for his 
intelligence and ability, is he whose name is at the 
iiead of this sketch. He is a native of Essex 
County, X. Y., and was born there July 28. 1828. 
He is a son of David Hammond also a native of 
New York whose birth year was 1794. He was a 
clotliicr by trade and came to Michigan in 18.30. 
iiiakiug the journey hither l)v way of the lakes lo 
Detroit, which oldtirae way of traveling occupied 
two weeks, and from Detroit he came by ox-teams 
down an Indian trail most of the wa^' to this 
county where he entered laud from the (iovern- 
ment on sections 24. 25 and 26, in Saline Town- 
sliip the land being in three eighty-acre tnicts. 
lie liuill a log hou.se in the niidstof the woods and 
tliere settled down, being two and a half miles dis- 
tant from his nearest neighboi'. 

It was at a time when the woods were full of game, 
there being plenty of deer, bears and more than 
enough of those .savage and voracious animals, 
wolves. Indians tramped by every d.ay for years. 
He for a long time made M(mroe his marketplace, 
but although the place was still wild and lonely, he 



set himself tocleariiig and improving and after a 
life spent in hard toil, died in 1847 at the age of 
lifty-three years. He was honored at an early day 
by being placed in several local offices. He was a 
lirm believer iu the Calvinistic creed and shorter 
catechism and served as Deacon in iiis church for 
a lonu tiuic before his decease. Our subject's 
mother wns in her maiden days a Miss Mary ^V. 
Wetherby, ;i native of Vermont, who died aliout 
1860 at tlie age of sixty-two years. She like her 
husband was an adherent of the Presbyterian 
Church. Three children graced the home fireside 
and lioard with their presence. 

The i)arcntal family comprised Mary. I'rank 
and Henry A. The latter is the only one living 
at the present time, Mary having died in the year 
of 1843, and Frank in 1865. Henry Hamniond 
was two years old when his parents came to this 
State. He received a district-school education in 
the schools in the immediate vicinity of his home 
and remained at home until 1848, taking charge of 
the farm after his father's death. He was at the 
time about eighteen years of age and has since 
made his own way in the world. 

Mr. Hammond finished clearing the home farm 
and in 1856 was united in mari'iage to Miss Eliza 
M. Boydon of Saline Township, this State. Four 
children have been the outcome of this union and 
all have grown to manhood and womanhood and 
are useful and respected members of society. ]\Iary 
IS the wife of the Rev. Elson Lewis, a clergyman in 
Boston and an adherent of the Baptist persuasion. 
The other children are George. Ralph and Burt. All 
have had good educatiimal advantages and have 
made good use of them. Our subject, like most of 
his neighbors in the township of Saline, is a Demo- 
crat. He has frequently been a delegate to county 
and district conventions. I^iberal in his own re- 
ligious ideas, his wife is an adherent of the Baptist 
Church. Jlr. Hamniond is the owner of two hun- 
dred and forty acres of excellent land. He here 
devotes himself to general farming, giving much 
of his time and estate to the raising of stock mak- 
ing of sheep a specially. The latter he feeds during 
the winter and therefore they never ])resent the 
scraggy and forloi'ii appearance that many of these 
animals do after a severe seasoji. Our subject has 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



■■i 1 .-. 



n fine |iImcc iind a lit'.-iutiful Imhiu', the house 
Ix'ino' a inodt'l of coinfort and coinonii'iice in in- 
terior arrangement and attractive a.s to exterior 
finish. It is in'esided over most graciously ''v it-- 
dignified and capable mistress, who is indeed an 
ex])ert as a liousewife. 



11' )li wlio have brouglit with tliem to this western 
\^^ land the sturdy liabits of independence, in- 
tegrity and industry wliich have ever marked tiie 
•'Green Mountain boys", we are gratified to be 
able to name Mr. Clark, whose beautiful farm is to 
be found on section 20, JLinchester Townsliii), 
Washtenaw County, lie was l)()in September 17. 
IKl fi. 

His father. .lames Clark, who was burn in the 
same county, there carried on the work of a farmer 
and remained in his native home until Novenibei-, 
1836, when he came West. His first home was 
established in Lenawee County, where he took up 
Government land and remained for two years, 
after which he went to Grand Rapids, where he 
completed hLs earthly sojourn. His seventy-four 
years of life had been well filled with acts of devo- 
tion to duty, and although he did not shoulder a 
gun during the AV'ar of 1812 he was one of the 
Minute Men who stood ready to go, and for some 
time he had his clothes packed ready to start at a 
moment's warning. 

.lerusha Torrence, who became the mother of <iur 
subject, was a native of New York, and had hei- 
training and education at Whitehall, where she was 
married. She was the mother of ten children and 
died in \'ermont. The second marriage of .lames 
Clark brought to his home a helpmate in the i^erson 
of Sarah (Jreen, who was born in \'ermont and lie- 
came the mother of four children. Twelve of the 
fourteen children of .Tames Clark giew to man- 
hood and womanhood and theniseUes became the 
heads of families. Oiilv two of tlieni are now living, 



namely, our subject and his brother .Tames, who 
lives in Jackson. 

When ten years of age Orrin Clark removed with 
his parents from Vermont to New Yoik. He was 
twenty years of age when he came West with his 
father, and i)revions to that time he had worked 
for four years in a cotton factory at Watertown, as 
the father was very restricted in his means and it 
was necessary for all of the children to help bear 
the family expenses as soon as they were old enough 
to work. He worked for one 3^ear on a farm in 
Northern New York and three years in Niagara 
County, and upon coming to Detroit in November, 
18o6, began teaming. The following spring he 
came to Manchester Township and took the saw- 
mill which is now located on section 28, and under- 
took to run it on shares, which he did for eighteen 
months.. Having thus gained some means, the 
young man determined to own a home of his own, 
and bought the farm where he now resides which 
was then in its wild condition. He built a log 
house 16x18 feet in dimensions, f«r which he cut 
the logs and sawed them him,self. He then pro- 
ceeded to jjut the place in a condition for tillage 
and here he had many interesting experiences with 
the wild animals which were then so i)lentifnl. 
Wild tuikeys frequented his dooryard and deer 
could often be seen crossing the field. He tirst 
bought eighty acres on s(!ction 20, and to this he 
has added fifteen acres on section 21. 

The most notable event in the life of the 
young man w.as his marriage in Manchesler Town- 
ship, October 20. 1838, with Samantha Baldwin, 
daughter of Leonard and .4rvilla (Carr) Baldwin. 
She w!is born in Fulton County, N. Y., November 
10, 1816, and when twenty years of age came to 
ATichigan with her pai'entsand continued to reside 
with them until her marriage. To her have been 
born three children, ail of whom had their early 
training and home in the log house, and only one 
of whom now remains to cheer the declining years 
that must come to the parents. Seymour w.as born 
in 1840, and he makes his hcmie with his parents 
and takes charge of the farming operations; Naomi 
was born in 1842 and died in 1866; while .leanette 
lived only seventeen months. 

The principles of the Repulilican p.-irty are the 



316 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ones which most fiillN coiniiuiKl themselves to the 
judgment of Mr. (lark as wortliy of liis sanction 
and his first Presidential vote was cast fur the 
grandfather of the present incumbent of that otliee, 
whom he also helped U< elect. He has served as 
Pathrnaster in his township, but aside from that 
has preferred to avoid otlicial iesi>onsibility. 

The parents of Jlrs. Clark were earl^' settlers in 
Michigan and in the town of Manchester. Both 
were New Yorkers by birth, and the father lived to 
tlie age of sixty-four, but tlif mother died in early 
womanhood, being called hence when only forty- 
four years of age. Their graves lie side by side in 
the Revnolds Cemeterv in ^Manchester Township. 



J' WILLIAM DEUBKL. One of the prominent 
business men of the city of Ypsilanti an<l 
^ ^ whose interests are as varied as are the 
enterprises in which he has been a projector, is he 
whose name is at the head of tliis sketch. He is 
proprietor of the Ypsilanti City Mills. whi( h are 
run under the firm name of William Deubel li: Co. 
lie was also one of the projectors of the Ypsilanti 
it Ann Arbor Street Railway and is al.so a large 
stockholder in the sanic. He is also a stockhcilder 
and director of the Savings Piank at Ann Arlior 
and was one of its organizei's. He is a stockholder, 
besides, in the Ann Arbor Electric Street Railway 
and owns considerable mining stock in Mexico. 
He is a prominent man in this tity and is well 
known and liked by all who know him as a 
straightforward and candid business man. Mi-. 
Deubel's partner in the City ^lills is his son, 
F. B. Deubel. Tlie mill site is one of the oldest in 
the county. 

William Deubel was born in \\;ishinglon. 1). C.. 
February 10, 1821. His lather was William F. 
Deubel, who was born in Biertoii. tiennany. Our 
subject's father was ajjprenticed to learn the 
butcher's trade when young. l)ut soon after en- 
tered the army of Napoleon B<niaparte as Initcher. 
He was in charge of eighty men in the field .and on 
the trip to Moscow was brought into personal com- 



municatioii with the great French general. He 
was a tine tcncer and was engaged in more than 
one ilui'l. Hi.-- marriage took place in (Germany. 
He emigrated to .\merica and located in Pennsyl- 
vania, near Washingttm, thence removed to the 
capital, where he was engaged as a drover, and 
thence went to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he resided 
until lsi'i.'>. when he came to Michigan with his 
wife and t'oui- children. He went to Buffalo by 
ennal and from that point came to Detroit by boat. 
On reaching Plymouth he was the proprietor of a 
meat market and there died at the age of sixty-live 
years. I h' was a Lutheran in his church relations. 

Our subject's mother was before her marriage a 
Miss Isabella Filley, who was born in Heilbroden, 
(ierniany. She died at Plymouth. Of six chil- 
dren born to the |)arents four lived to be grown 
and came to Michigan and two survive at the pres- 
ent time; our subject was the youngest of the fam- 
ily. He was about eleven years old when his 
father left Brooklyn. N. Y.. and came to Michigan, 
and after that time he lived in Ph'mouth until 
reaching manhood, there attending the common 
school of the district. 

From the time AVilliam was large enough he was 
recjuired to add his time and strength to the w'ork 
of the farm until seventeen years of age, and at 
tliat time was apprenticed to H. B. Holbrook to 
learn the miller's trade. He spent three years with 
him and then took the second pl.ace of miller in 
the same township, later becoming head miller. He 
wdrketl for twenty-one years in this capiicity. In 
l.si;2 ovu suliject gave up milling, having made 
••s.'i..")Oii duiing that time. He purchased a farm of 
eighty-l'oui- acri's in Plymouth Township, AV.ayne 
County, and engaged in farming for two and a 
half years, then sold it at a largely advanced price 
and located in Ann Arbor, wliere he bought a mill 
fiom Frank Swift, who had been engaged in the 
milling business there for ten years. He later.sold 
a half interest in it to its original owner, it being 
run under the liriii name of Swift iVr Deubel. A 
vear later lie bought out the mill of William St. 
Clair and ran the two mills, which were the only 
ones theie at that time. 

The linn name was Hnally changed to Deubel. 
Sw Ift iV: Co. and continued thus until 1875, when the 



P(^RTRAIT AND UK )ORAPHlCAL ALBUM. 



317 



partnership was dissulvi'd. < )msulijcct tlu'ii l)()ui;lit 
liis present mill property- from !•;. 1!. W'.inl. of De- 
troit, for *4o.()00. lie put upon it -itrj.iKKi wuitli 
of improvements, it being liacUy run down, lie 
has since remodeled it and replaced the old millint; 
system wth a full rollei' system and has jnit in ;i 
steam engine of one hundred-horse power, so that 
he can eomhiue the two and have full roller pn 
cess. It has a capacity of from two hundred and 
fifty to three hundred barrels per day and is one 
of the largest mills in the county. It is accessible 
to the railroads, having side tracks from both roads. 
They ship large quantities of flour, feed, etc., both 
East and South and they even have market in Eng- 
land. Scotland and Ireland. 

When our subject came to this county there was 
not a railroad here, all these improvements, of 
which he now has the benefit and and advantage, 
having been made since hislioyhood. About 18K0 
the original of this sketch took his son as partner 
in his business and it is now being carried on most 
successfully. The residence of Mr. Deubel is 
located at No. 20() .\. Huron Stieet. and here the 
family have as fine a house as any in Ypsilanti. 
Mr. Deubel also owns a handsome residence in Ann 
Arbor. His mill site at this pLace has several acres 
of land. He also owns a saw and planing mill. 
which he. however, rents. Our subject is the old 
est miller in the county and is a thoroughly prac- 
tical business man. 

The marriage of the gentleman of whom we 
write was celebrated at Whltmore Lake, his bride 
being a Miss Sally Purdy. who was born in Seneca 
County, X. V. She was a daughter of James 
Purdy. who came to Plymouth in 182M and was 
there a farmer. Mrs. Deubel died August 29, 1889, 
leaving three children to her husband. Mary died 
when young; AV'illiam H. is a miller, located at 
Ypsilanti; .lames P. is a miller atScio; Ilattie died 
when young; Frank K. is in partnership with his 
father. While in Ann Arbor Mr. Deubel served 
as Alderman for two years from the Fourth Wai-d. 
Socially he is a Mason and belongs also to the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Originally a 
\Vhig, our subject is now a firm Democrat. The 
establishment to which Mr. Deubel jjays most atten- 
tion, that of liis mill, is an imposing structure 



I.")xl0i') in dimensions, which has three stories be- 
sides the basement. The organization of 'the Ann 
.Vrbor Savings Bank, of which our subject is a large 
stockholder, is due lo him. 



r_, (i.\. 1)A\11) i;i)\VAKDS. In order lo per- 
r jji'i petuale for coining generations the record 
iWj^ of one who was very prominently con- 
i^^j nccted with laying the solid foundation of 
the prosiierity of Ypsilanti, a brief account of the 
life of David I-Mwards is placed on the pages of 
the Ai.ui'M. He was one of the earliest settlers of 
this city and has always been closely identified 
with its development by his liberal contributions 
to aid the ,social, material and religious advance- 
ment and he has done much to bring to its pres- 
ent standing as one of the foremost cities of the 
State. When he came here in 1838, the place 
which then contained a poijulation of fifteen hun- 
dred, was the terminus of the Michigan Central 
Kailroad, and was a thriving little village in the 
midst of a sparsely settled community. 

A'ermont was the native State of the Hon. Mr. 
Kdwards, and his birth occurred in Montpelier, 
November 2, 181.5. Both his father and grand- 
father bore the same name as himself. His grand- 
father seived in the conflict of the Revolution as 
a volunteer, being too young to come under the 
draft. Man.\' years ag(j his great-grandfather came 
from England with two sons, settling in old 
Rochester, Mass., when Grandfather Edwards was 
fourteen j'ears old. When the father of our sub- 
ject was seven years old he accompanied his parents 
to Quincy, Mass., settling on whatisnow Edward's 
Hill and there and in the vicinity of Boston, his 
family now reside. Our subject secured a good 
education in (Quincy, after which he learned the 
carpenter's trade. In connection with that he 
studied architecture for many years and for a long 
time did the most of the contracting and building 
in this city. He also superintended the erection 
of many State edifices, and with the exception of 
the first small buildina'. he had charge of the 



318 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



erection of all the .State Normal School buildings 
here. He built the .St. Ignace court-house and 
many other county and .State buildings, which 
now stand as monuments to his architectural taste 
and ability. 

About fifteen years ago .Mr. Kd wards retired 
from active work as an architect and carpenter, 
but afterward was employed for a time by the 
Board of Public Works of Detroit to superintend 
sewers and dock building and in other ways ad- 
vancing the interests of the city. In 1843 he 
built the old Methodist CUuirch in Ypsilanti, and 
the character of his work may be inferred from 
the fact that when the building was razed to the 
ground, after having stood forty-eight years, it 
was as i)lumb as when first erected. With the 
exception of a few years when he was employed 
in Detroit, 3Ir. Edwards has resided continuously 
in tliis city for fifty-three years, and the marvelous 
changes which this half-century has produced, he 
has not <i}il\' witnessed luit has assisted in bringing 
about. 

With the political life of the county, Mr. Ed- 
wards has also been identified. He served as 
Township Treasurer when the village and town- 
ship were one, and when the cit.\' was chartered he 
was one of the first Alderman. Later he served 
as Mayor two years, and was at the head of the 
municipality when Lincoln was assassinated. Since 
that time he has refused public office, and neither 
the honors nor the emoluinents of oflicial position 
have been sufficient to induce him to revoke his 
decision. However he has made an exception in 
one instance, having served for three consecutive 
years as Supervisor for the First Judicial District 
of this city, a position which he will probably fill 
for some time. The first planing mill which was 
ever put in here was purchased by him and used 
in his business. Politically he votes the Republi- 
can ticket, although he is by no means a partisan. 

In 1842, a few years after locating here, Air. 
Edwards was married to Miss Lucia M. Fairchild, 
the daughter of Dr. .loel and Emma Bacon Fair- 
child, ilrs. Edwards was a native of Shelburn, 
A't., born in 1826 and came to this county with 
parents when she was a child of twelve. She grew 
to womanhood under the parental roof in Vpsilimti, 



and her gentle disposition and kind heart have 
always won for her many friends and admirers. She 
is a member of the Episcopal Church, to the sup- 
port of which Mr. Edwards contributes regularly. 
Three children came to Mr. and Alr.s. Edwards, 
(George T. is an attoraey in Minneapolis: Julia E.. 
tiie widow of George .Sherman, ra.akes her home in 
Yp.silanti, and Charles G. is a commercial traveler. 



'S^* BER WHITE, decea-sed. There is no in- 
l— 1 heritance so rich as the records of the 
J' — J, worthy lives of those who ha\e parted from 
this world and have gone to receive the reward 
which awaits them in heaven. We all have striv- 
ings after a high ideal, but an ideal akme is of 
little value if not re-inforced by the example of 
those who, like ourselves have human frailties, yet 
have been enabled to so overcome them as to lead 
lives of u.sefulness. integrity and true godliness. 
This gives us new courage to continue our own 
efforts and aids us in making a success of our lives 
in the highest sense of the word. 

Elier White had his birth in .Schenectady, >.'. Y., 
on October 14, 1798, and was called from the ac- 
tivities of life August It), 1872. He belonged to 
a i-emarkable family noted for patriotism during 
the Colonial days. His father, Peter AYhite, had six 
brotiu'rs who fought under (4en. Washington, dur- 
ing tlie entire period of the Revolutionary War 
and Peter himself only mourned that he was too 
young to join his brothers in the field. The fiimily 
had come to New York from Hliode Island. 

Having learned the i)ractical details of farming 
and having grown uj) through its experience to a 
rugged and independent young manhood, Eber 
White came in 1824 to Michigan, and took upland 
in Washtenaw Count}-, spending the summer here 
.■ind at Pontiac. He was greatly delighted with the 
lieauties of this fair Western land and after making 
good his claim to the property he returned to the 
East to make furtlier arrangements for his future 
life. In .Iui\-. 1 K2(;. he was united in marriage witli 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



319 



Polly Rogers, a n;it i vv of F;il)iii.s, Onondaga County. 
X. Y., and with his yonnu- biidc lie began his 
journey to the new home. I'pon arriving .again in 
Washtenaw County, he at once set to work to make 
a log cabin, and while doing so the young pair 
were cordially welcomed to the homi' of George 
Allen. Here they set up their liousehold gods and 
began the journey of life together. 

Tliis new life was not without its trials .as there 
was much sickness in those days hut this young 
couple w.as made of the stuff that could endure 
trials and hardships and roughness and they bravely 
carried on their work. The young man was nol 
unaccustomed to pioneer lal)or as his father, who 
had been unfortunate in money matters some 
years and had lost a great deal of his property by 
going security for a friend, had removed into a 
new country when Eber was onl_\- fourteen years 
old and the boy had done most of the work of 
clearing up one hundred acres of woodland for his 
father. 

Besides the land whicli ;\Ir. White look in Ann 
Arbor Township, he was also interested in a farm in 
Webster Township. He was thoroughly and in- 
telligently concerned in all UKtvements for the 
prosperity and progress of tlu' farming community 
and was the chief organizer of the .Vgrieultural 
Society. 

The children who blest the home of this highly 
respected couple were six in number, four of whom 
are now living: Alty is the widow of Dr. James 
Steward, a prominent physician who dii-d in .\nn 
Arbor about the year 1864; she makes her home at 
the corner of Main and Liberty Streets. Adelia 
E. is the wife of Dr. AVilliam Soule, a Professor in 
Mt. Union College at Alliance, Ohio, where he 
graduated in ISlil. 'I'he sisters I'olly and Mary 
Elizabeth were both born on the farm and have 
lived liere throughout their lives. They have one- 
half of the old homestead on West Liberty Street 
and have full management of the farm, which they 
are carrying on most elticlintly and are showing 
that capability for business which is l)eing so won- 
derfully developed among the women of our coun- 
try in these days. 

The first h<mie of ^Ir. White which was the log 
cabin of which we have already spoken, was after 



awhile set aside for a more coiiiforlable home which 
was built in 1810 anil wliich is now the old home- 
stead of which we have spoken on AV'est I,iberty 
Street. Besides his interest in agricultural affairs 
Mr. White expended much time, energy and means 
in promoting the educational and religious inter- 
ests of the community among whom he dwelt. He 
did not "despise the d.ay of small things" but was 
one of those who organized a class of the Metho- 
dist Church long before any effort had been made 
to organize a cliuri'h here. His benevolent feelings 
led him to open his hand freely for the relief of the 
distressed and these with liis k)ve for liberty led 
him to associate himself lir;i\'ely vvith other Aboli- 
tionists in helping forward the fugitive slave as he 
passed through .Michig.an toward Canada and the 
North .Star. He early allied him.self with the 
Republican party and gave most patriotic and real 
su|)port to the administration during the dark days 
of the Civil AV.-ir. 

.Inly 2, 1864, Mr. White was called upon to pa.ss 
thiough the trial of parting with his faithful and 
beloved wife who had walked with him so harmoni- 
ously since the days when they set up their home 
in the log cabin. He survived her some eight 
ye.ars when he too linished liis earthly career and 
rcsjionded to thecal! to"conie >ip higher." 



—4- ^^- ^■ 

VOL EDWARD P..VrWELL, M. D., who w.as 
11 _, born in Ireland and there reared and edu- 
cated, received his degree in the Dublin 
University. He came to Detroit in 18.50 and prac- 
ticed until the war, which he entei-ed in the 
capacity of surgeon in the Fourteenth Michigan In- 
fantry, and worked up until he was brevetted 
Lieutenant Colonel. He is now one of the finest 
surgeons in the State and is rated as such by the 
best authorities. Dr. Batwell is not only scholarly 
and well-informed in his own line, but is intelli- 
gent in every brancli. and an enterprising and 
interesting gentleman, lie stands well in the com- 
munity, both as a citizen and as a jjrofessional man. 
Dr. Batwell was born in Charleville. Countv 



320 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Cork, Ireland, June 1, 1828, and was there reared. 
He is a son of Andrew Batwell, who was a repre- 
sentative of an old and lidiioralile family in that 
portion of Ireland. 'I'lic family is of English 
origin, the exodus of tiie family having taken place 
from England during the plague in 15(10. Our 
subject's father was a Captain in the English Aiiiiy 
and died in tliat country. Our subject's motlicr 
was, previous to her marriage, a Miss Helen Gal- 
way. Eight children were born to the couple. 
He of whom we write is the youngest of these and 
the only one who came to America. He was edu- 
cated in the endowed school in Ciiarlevillc until 
thirteen \-ears of age. In 1841 he was apprenticed 
to Thomas 0. Gorman, an apothecary of Charleville, 
and served under him for five years, until 1846. 
In 1841 our subject entered Trinity College. Dublin, 
becoming a student at the Royal College of Sur- 
geons. He finished there in 1849. He afterward 
graduated from the Royal College of Physicians of 
London, and became a memlier of the Royal Col- 
lege of Surgeons, London, England. 

After his experience in London Dr. Batwell 
returned home and passed the examination for 
admission to the English Navy and immediately 
afterward set out for America on a jjleasure trip. 
He was so pleased with the new land that six 
months after, when the news came of his appoint- 
ment to the English navy he declined it in ordi r 
to become a citizen of the United States. His voy- 
age over was first made in 1849, when he left 
Queenstown in the month of November on the 
sailing vessel '■ Repulilic." .\fter a five weeks' 
voyage they landed in New York Mr. Batwell 
came almost immediately to Detroit and determined 
to make this his home. He was possessed of a com- 
fortable sum of money t)n coming over but spent 
it in ten months' time, and was obliged to resort 
to his profession as a means of livelihood, lie be- 
gan the practice of surgery in which he was ver\- 
successful and was a contemporary with all the 
physicians of that early day. Our subject enjoys 
a very wide practice, being acknowledged a mo.<t 
skillful physician and surgeon. 

In 1861 the original of our sketch was apjiointcd 
surgeon to the Irish Rifie, a popular leginient. 
which was shortlv afterward merited with the 



Eourteenth Michigan Infantry. Dr. Batwell served 
in all the battles in which his regiment took part. 
In the fall of 18(!2, he of wliom we write was ad- 
vanced to the position of Brigade Surgeon and 
shorlly nfterward was made Division Surgeon and 
placiMi m charge of the field hospital, Second 
l)i\isi<jn. Fourteenth Army Corps, and in 1864 he 
wa.N honored by being bre vetted Lieutenant Colonel, 
and after an honorable service was mustered out 
at the close of the war. 

.\fter returning from the army Dr. Batwell en- 
gaged in practice in Detroit for a few months, 
tiii'ii in the spring of 1866 he located in Ypsilanti 
and has since been the most prominent and widely 
known i)hysician and surgeon in this city and of 
the locality, and has doubtless engaged in more 
surgical work tiian any physician in the vicinity. 
He is frequently called upon to superintend delicate 
surgical operations in the city of Detroit and also 
to other jiarts of the State. 

The gentleman of whom we write was first mar- 
ried in Detroit, .lunc 1. 1854, to Miss Frances 
Delano, who was born in Rochester, N. 'W Fi\-e 
children have been the outcome of this union and 
of these three are now living. They are Charles, 
Edward and Helen. Charles resides in Kansas City 
and is employed <as a bookkeeper; Edward is located 
at Ft. Townsend, \Vash.. and is an architect; Helen is 
now Mrs. Thom.as Stephens of (ialt, Canada. Some 
time after the death of ]Mrs. Frances Batwell, our 
subject was again married, the ceremony being 
solemnized in the city of Detroit. August 1. 1882 
and the lady being Miss Mary E. Carpenter, of 
Ypsilanti. Two children have been the outcome of 
this marriage. 

Our sulije( t has been pressed into service in 
municipal po.sitions. He has been County Coroner 
for several years and also County .Surgeon. He 
has also been Cit\- Physician for many years and 
has wielded the sceptre over the fire department 
for many years, being the original founder of that 
department in 1873 and is now the only original 
member. .Socially our subject lielongs to the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, being one of the 
Encampment. He is also a Royal Arch Mason, 
belonging to the M.asonic Council, and is besides a 
Knight of Tlie .Maccabees. He is pleased to join 




oPc^'t/XX^rruyyLy^yOA 



'yj4/yC(/\ 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



323 



his (lid comindes ;ilx)iit tlie camp fireof the (i. A. K. 
iuul thu L'. \ . V. Our subject is a member <jf the 
Kpiscopal Church and is a follower of the doclii lies 
aud platform of the Democratic part\-. 



r^ KN.IAMIN HRADLEY. This proiniiieiit 

L-K agriculturist, residing on section l.s, Ann 
(^ I Arbor Township, was horn in Suffoll< 
^-^ County, England, March 0, 1 HIM. His par- 
ents. William and Klioda (Colley) Bradley, were 
both born in England. They came to the United 
States in the year 1H3(). sjiending five years on 
Staten Ishiiid. and then removed to Wayne 
County. N. Y. In the fall of 1837 they came to 
Michigan, pa.ssing through to Jackson, where Mr. 
Bradley had a brother-in-law. They had a family 
of nine children, of whom four came with them 
to Michigan. The father died in Jackson in 1840, 
and his widow, who survived him for twenty 
yeai.=. reached the age of four-score. Those mem- 
bers of the family who came to this State were: 
Mary Ann. Mrs. W. Chittock, of Jackson; Eliza, 
Mrs. X. .lones, of Lansing; Robert and Benjamin. 
l{oth sisters have now passed from life. 

( )ur subject learned the trade of a tailor with 
his brother-in-law at Jackson, working there for 
eleven years, and followed his trade for more than 
forty years. He passed twenty-two years in Mos- 
cow, Hillsdale Count}-, and the rest of the time in 
Jackson and Ann Arbor, until he came to his pres- 
ent farm in 1874. He was married February 18, 
1843, in Ann Arbor, to Margaret Siiannon, daugh- 
ter of John and Bridget (Cronin) Shannon, bcith 
of whom were natives of County J^imcrick, he- 
land, who came to Ann Arbor in 1836, and lo- 
cated on a farm three miles northwest of that 
place. 

There the father passed from life November 
23, 1843, at the age of fifty years, and the mother 
survived until April, 1866. The members of their 
family were: Margaret; Bridget, who died at the 
age of fifteen; Steve, a machinist, who died at the 
age of twentv-one; Alice. Mrs. Ilarvev Cornwell: 



l^itrick, John and Mich.iel. John died in Liliby 
Prison at tlie age of twenty years, having been 
captured on the march while straggling from the 
r.anks to avoid the dust. Patrick was the main- 
stay of the mother's famil^y and his death, which 
occurred in the fall of 1873, was a severe blow to 
all. He wiis unmarried, lived at home and carried 
on the farm. He l),)ught the land about the year 
I860, and placed upon it excellent improvements. 
He was also an engineer and operated an engine 
in the paper mill at Fosters. He was in delicate 
health and died of consumption. His death left 
only Mrs. Bradley and Mrs. Cornwell the surviv- 
ing members of the family. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bradley are: John 
F., who died in infancy; Charles T.. who is the 
engineer in a paper mill at Fo.sters; William, who 
carries on the farm; Stephen Franklin, who died 
at the age of seventeen; Mary Alice, Mrs. (ieorge 
Collenbach, of Ann Arbor; Benjamin, at home; 
Nelson, who is Cashier in the Savings Bank at 
Lansing; Gordon, who is an engineer; Ida May, 
at home; George, a paper finisher at the mill; 
John, who is a graduate of the High School at 
.\nn Arbor, is the bookkeeper for the Lansing- 
Lumber Company. ^Ir. and Mrs. Bradley are 
both earnest and devout members of the Roman 
Catholic Church, and the political influence of the 
f.amily is cast with the Democratic party. 

A lithographic portrait of Mr. Bradley accom- 
panies this sketch. 



G\ FORGE S.WHEELER. One of t.ie most 
prominent citizens of Washtenaw County, 
; who has held here many official positi(ms of 
trust and responsibility and is now a merchant at 
Salem, was born April, 22, 1830, in Lester, J>iving- 
ston County, N. Y., and came with his jiarents to 
this county in the fall of 1831, before the organi- 
zation of the State. Here he passed his youtli. 
taking his education in the common schools of the 
county and in the High School at Ypsilanti. 

Mr. Wheeler was married in is.") I to Miss .Maria 



324 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



P. Thayer, daughter of Rufus Thayer, wlio locateii 
the first land in what is now Salem Townshi]!. 
Two fliildren were born to them, Charles 'J . ilyin<f 
at the age of one and one-half years, and Fred, 
reaching maturity. The Hon. Calvin Wheeler, the 
fathei- of our subject, was born in New York in 
1806, and as we have .said, became an early pio- 
neer in Salem Town.ship, where lie resided until 
called from life's activities. Two years before his 
migration into Michigan he was united in marriage 
with Miss Almira Smith, an estimable Chri.ntian 
lady of great worth. With the exception of the 
office of Constalile this gentleman held every offi- 
cial position witliiii the gift of the people nf Saii- ii 
Township. 

In 1857 the father of our subject was elected to 
represent Washtenaw County in the ilichigan State 
Legislature and held the office for one term, llis 
family consisted of our subject; Elizabeth, widow of 
Charles Ryder; Almira, wife of Hiram B. Fair, of 
Wayne County, this State; Stephen C. and Daniel 
W., farmers of .Salem Township. The active and 
useful life of the father of this household ceased 
on earth in August, 1882, when he had reach d <!.e 
age of seventy-six years. 

When our subject attained his majority he was 
elected School Inspector, which office he success- 
fully and satisfactorily occupied for six years, at 
which time it was abolished. He was then made a 
member of the .School Examining Board and thus 
remained for eight years. In the meantime he had 
been placed in the office of Count}' Supervisor and 
thus c(mtin\ie(l \uitil his enlistment in the Union 
Army. 

Our yiiung soldier \v;\s mustered into service iin 
der the old flag in August, 1862, and was given a 
commission as Captain to raise a company to be 
called the Lancers. After about six months this 
company was disbanded and in 1862 he was again 
mustered into service as First Lieutenant of Com- 
pany D, in the Fifth Michigan Cavalry. In March, 
1863, he returned to his farm near Whitmore 
Lake and in the fall he entered the boot and shoe 
business in Ann Arbor, forming a partnershijj un- 
der the firm title of Noble, Ryder it Wheeler and 
thus continued for three years. 

At the expiration of that time Mi-. Wheeler was 



made Dei)uty County Treasurer and conducted the 
financial business of the county for two years. 
After serving the county six years in tlic educa- 
tional line he came to Salem Township and with 
E. O. Smith bought seven .acres of land and platted 
the village of Salem, and proceeded to erect the 
Iniildings in which his store is now situated. This 
was in the spring of 1873, just before he was 
elected Supervisor, an office in which he continued 
most of the time foi' fourteen terms, and in whicli 
cap.acity he had also served in Livingston County. 
^Ir. Wheeler h,as been the life of the little town 
in wliicli he lives, as he is a progressive busines.s 
man and one who is ever ready to encourage every 
worthy euterprise. During his eighteen years' res- 
idence in Salem he h.as been the .agent for the ex- 
press company there and with the exception of four 
years has also served either as Postmaster or as 
Deputy Postmaster. .V's a RepubUcan he is well 
known throughout the county and he and his wife 
are active members of the Congregational Church, 
where they give liberally of their means for tlie 
support of religious services and other objects, and 
are loved and I'espeCted by all wlio know them. 



-^^1^^ 



If AMES BENHAM. The farm located on sec 
tion 28, Bridgewater Township, is owned by 
the gentleman whose name is at the head 
of this sketch. He is a native of the Empire 
State, having been born in Onondaga County in 
the village of Amber, .Tuly 1(1, 1841. His father, 
James Benliam. also a native of New York, was a 
tailor by trade and in his early d.ays w.as thus con- 
.stantly employed. In 18.53 he came to Michigan 
and settled in Rome Township, Lenawee County, 
on a farm, remaining there for about five years 
and thence removing to Bridgewater Township, 
this county, where he located on section 27. con- 
tinuing to farm and improve the place until lii> 
death, which occurred in IS.si. 

The senior Mr. Benham, was a Democrat in his 
political belief. He held the office of .lustice of 
the Peace in New York and in Michigan and is a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



.Vio 



man «iu> wass hiiflily respected. Our subject's 
paternal gi-andsire, (ieorge Benham, also a native 
of Xew Y<jrk, was a doctor, practicing his profes- 
sion in Onondaga County, where he died in his 
seventieth year. Our subject's mother was, in her 
maiden days, Miss Elizabeth A. Wood, a native 
of New York, where she was reared. She died at 
about the age of thirty years, after which oui- sul' 
ject'.s father again married, his wife being Mis- 
Elvira Chapman. This union was blest by the 
advent of one child. Charles, who was taken awa^' 
when in the full promise of his yoiuig manhood, 
being eighteen 3-ears of age at the time. 

Our subject was one of five children that were 
the issue of the first marriage, there being three 
daughters and two sons, all of whom grew to man- 
hood. Three are at the present time living and of 
these our subject is the youngest. He remained 
with his father until he reached his majority and 
then worked out by the month, first receiving ^13 
per month for liis labor and afterward .as high as 
^2S per month until he married. March 24, 1869, 
Mr. Benham was united in marrif ge to Miss Mary 
C.alhoun, who was born in Bridgewater Township 
this county. February 20. 1H46. She was the 
youngest of five children, there being three daugh- 
ters and two sons. The parents were Norm.an and 
Lucy (Cobb) Calhoun, the father, a native of 
Connecticut and the mother, of Rochester, N. Y. 
They were early settlers in Washtenaw County 
and took up land from the fTOvernment. 

The original of our sketch located soon after his 
marriage on a farm known as the AuUs placi., 
which he worked on shares, renting it for four 
years; thence he went to (ira.ss Lake, Jackson 
County, this State, where he leased a farm, bestow- 
ing Ills hil»)r upon it for three years and thence 
came to the place where he now resides. One 
daugliter. Delia, has been granted to this amial)le 
couple. She w.as born January 9. 1871. and is the 
liglit .and life of the home. Mr. lienham owns 
nincty-tivc acres which he devotes to general 
farming. 

He of whom we write is a Democrat in his poli- 
tical belief and stands high in the regard of his 
party. During the years of 188:5 and 1881. he 
held tlie nfflce of Townslii], Clerk and i- now 



.Justice of the Peace, having liecn SclioolTieasurer 
for about eight years. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, belonging to ( linton Lodge, 
No. 175. and to Chapter 10. He has taken nine 
degree and is a prominent Mason, having succes- 
sively filled nearly all the otlices and orders of his 
society. Mr. Benham's daughter is ;in artist, hav- 
ing considerable talent in graphic art. She paints 
from nature and has in her possession a tine land- 
scape. 



gsasMjaisHF^ 



||U^ ENRY MATTHE\VS, the popular proprie- 
jf)|l tor of the Palace Meat-market, situated at 
/|\^ No. 9 West Huron Street. Ann Arbor. Mich., 
(^>j) was born in North Hampshire, England. 
November 15, 1841. and in his father's family he 
is the only son .and eldest of two children. Ceorge 
Matthews, his father, was a farmer, and passed his 
days m the old country. He died when this son 
was a mere lad and the mother had l)eeii called 
away when Henry was only three years old. An 
uncle, Johu IMatthews, now took care of th( boy, 
.and with him he made his home until he reached 
the age of fifteen years, receiving a good common- 
school education. 

In the f.all of 1857 the youth came to the rnited 
States, landing in New Y'orkCity. and thence com- 
ing directly to Ann Arbor, where he found work 
with his uncle Roger Matthews. It was in 1874 
that IMr. ^latthews started in business on his own 
account by opening a meat market on AVest Huron 
Street, going into partnership with John Nichols 
under the firm name of Matthews A' Nichols. This 
continued foi- a year only, at the expiration of 
which time he bought out his partner, and re- 
moved to his present stand No. 9 AA'est Huron 
Street. He erected his first brick store in 1878, a 
two-story building measuring 21x72 feet, and he 
also built the adjoining store which is occupied by 
parties who are in the plumbing business. 

This gentleman gives a personal oversight to 
everything that is done about his estabUshment, 
packing all his own meats, hams, shoulders, side 
meats and bacon, purchasing the greater p;\v\ of 



.•526 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



his stock from the farmere. Our subject was mar- 
ried October 16, 1865. to Miss Maria Curtis, of 
Webster Township, this county, daughter of Castle 
Curtis. .She was born in Washtenaw County, and 
has two living children: Ella, the wife of Samuel 
P. Kyse. of Lansing; and George H., who a.ssists 
his fatlier in the market. The political views of 
Mr. Matthews are in accord with the doctrines and 
Ijolicy of the Democratic part\'. lie and his wife 
are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, 
and they make their home in Mr. Matthews' build- 
ing, over the place of business. 



i^ill^;iO 



y 



i)ILLlAM KIRCHGESSNEK. In scanning 
the lives and enterprises of the citizens 
\^^ of ^lauchester, it is pleasant to note the 
exercise of enterprise in every walk of life, and 
the achievement of success in every department 
of business. This we are able to discern in the 
career of our subject, who has established a first 
class bakery and restaurant in this village, ami 
has made himself a place in his adopted country. 

Our subject was born in Bucheu Baden, (ier- 
manj', December 3, 184.5, and his father, Sebastian 
K., who was born in the same city, came to Amer- 
ica and made his first home in Monroe County, 
Mich., thence removing to Adrian, Mich., whei'o 
his death occurred April 16, 1874. He was a well- 
known and prominent man, and in his early days 
was a Democrat, but during the years of the Civil 
War he became an ardent Republican. He was a 
Romfin Catholic and died in that faith. 

The mother of our subject, (ieneveva Kieser, was 
also a native of Buchen Baden, and never came to 
this country, as her death occurred April 1, 1849, 
in Germany. Ten of their twelve children grew 
to maturity, and nine of them came to this coun- 
try, of whom seven are now living. Mr. Kircli- 
gessner is the youngest of the twelve children, and 
was only five years old when he came to Michigan 
with his father, having lost his mother at the age 
of three years. He lived with his father until he 
had reached the age of sixteen years, attending 



school and working on the farm and taking his 
last .schooling in the Inion schools of Monroe. 

At the age of sixteen this youth commenced to 
I-.'nrn the baker's trade with A. Munch and worked 
for him three years in Monroe. He also clerked 
for his brother, Frank A. Kirchgessner, in that 
city for eighteen months, and afterward worked 
at Adrian, Hillsdale, New Albany, Ind., and liually 
came to the village of Manchester in Ai)i'il, 1868. 
It was upon the 4th of May of that year that he 
purchased the site where he now cariies on his 
business, and built a l)akery, the first one that had 
been established in the village. In 1873 he erected 
his brick business l)lock at a cost of 87,000, hav- 
ing moved the old bakery off from the ground to 
put up this one. He remodeled the old building 
and had it changed into a dwelling and business 
house comliined. 

The hajjpy marriage of Mr. Kirchgessner and 
Miss Emma Morschheuser took jjlace June 11, 
1868, in .Adrian, Mich. This lady is a native of 
(iermany, and was eighteen years old when she 
came to America. To her have been granted three 
sons and two daughters, viz: William C. Helen, 
Eugene, Caroline and Oscar. The eldest son, Will- 
iam, graduated at Manchester in the Class of '87, 
and then joined the Class of '89 in the depart- 
ment of pharmacy in the ^Michigan rniver.-ity. 
After taking his diploma he went into liusiness in 
Detroit in a line of drugs The remainder of the 
family are still at home with their parents. 

Besides carrying on the only bakery and con- 
fectionery in the village of Manchester, our sub- 
ject has a farm of one hundred and forty acres in 
I Bridgewater Township, which is well stocked with 
sheep, horses and cattle, and has upon it an excel- 
lent farm house, two good barns and other im- 
provements. He has a man who looks after the 
business for him and keci)s the place in excellent 
condition. 

In 18()!l .Mr. Kirchgessner was elected a member 
of the Common Council, and in 1873 he became 
Village Treasurer, which t)tlice he held for three 
years, .and was also made Township Treasurer in 
1881. He is actively identified with the German 
Workman's Aid Society, having been its first 
Treasurer, its President for two terms, and now 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



327 



aiirtiii its Tifasiircr. lie is a prominent member of 
the Ancient Order of United AVorkmen, hein<>- 
Past Master Workman and Financier for the ]>asl 
ten years. He represented tliatbody at the (Irand 
Lodge both in 18H0 and IHill. He has been a 
delegate to the State Deniooratie Conventions, 
and was also present at the eonvention at Grand 
Rapids in .Sejjtember, 1H90. He is not only saga- 
cious and entei'prising but also far-sighted, and 
possesses those characteristics which are essential 
to success. 



Cc^ 



^T/EROME (_'. KNOW ETON. Dean of the 
Law School in tiie Tniversity of Michigan, 
Prof. Knowlton has acquired a wide spread 
fame as a legal preceptor, whose methods in 
conducting study are of the most scientific and 
comprehensive nature. It extends far beyond his 
own State and tlie institution in which he is a 
prominent factor so that he is a recognized author- 
ity in many of the older institutions of the E.ast. 
.leronic ('. Knowlton was born in Plymouth, 
Wayne C'ount.v, this State, December 14, IJSoO. 
His i)arents were from New York, but sprang from 
the virile, steiling stock of New England as did so 
many of the early settlers of this State, which to- 
day feels the influence of the Puritan element that 
fostered sturdy Democracy. 

In 1851 Jerome's father removed to South J.,yons 
and there the family lived for some sixteen years. 
The period covered by these years was the un- 
eventful one of many another farmer lad. In 
winter the district school offered doubtful advant- 
ages and as he grew in strength and stature the 
work of the farm made unattractive his summers, 
lie was. however, a naturally studious lad and in 
his home life a love for a certain cla.ss of books 
was fostered. His early fondness was for mathemat- 
ics and he gave evidence of a peculiar aptitude 
in this (Inectidii. When about fifteen years old 
he liegan In devote himself to study with the 
intention of entering the State Normal Seliool. He 



accomiilished his wish, matriculating in the spring 
of 1867. Only one term, however, was spent at 
the Normal School for he was induced by a friend 
to undertake preparation for collegiate study. 
With this end in view he entered the High School 
in the autumn of the year of 1867. His father at 
that time left South Lyons and moved his family 
to Ann Arbor. 

The High School course of those years was one 
instinct with keen impressions and lasting impulses. 
The Superintendent was Prof. Elisha .Jones and 
those who came in contact with his frank, strong, 
generous nature and his active, keen and scholarly 
mind, feel that his teaching was education and he 
wa.s ably seconded by professors of rare ability in 
other departments. In the spring of 1870 Mr. 
Knowlton completed his preparatory studies and 
entered the University in the full classical course. 
He was obliged to leave college on account of ill- 
health at the end of his Freshman .year, re-entering 
in the fall of 1872 when he threw in his lot with 
the Class of '75. Then was developed a love for 
the classics and historj- in the latter of which the 
University excels all other State institutions. 

During the whole of our subject's collegiate 
course he was identified with the usual student 
interests, being a strong fraternitj' man. In the 
years of 1874-75 he was editor of the Chronicle 
and in the second half-year held the post of manag- 
ing editor. It was a critical period in college 
journalism, but the coming lawyer profited by class 
failures and it was made not only a literary success 
but was enabled to turn over a comfortable sum 
to the surplus account. During his college career 
our subject's work in history and the classical 
languages was marked b}' thoroughness and pro- 
ficiency and he was recognized as one of the best 
men in his class and a student of marked ability 
and promise. 

In September. 1875, Mr. Knowlton was married 
to IMiss Adelle M. Pattengill. His more earnest 
work in life was begun with the sympathy and help 
of a devoted wife who appreciated his aspirations 
and has ever since been his inspiration as well as 
his companion in success. A large portion of the 
years succeeding graduation was spent by our sub- 
ject in traveling through the Western States. In 



328 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



October, 1876, he entered the Law Deijartment of 
the University and took his degree in March, 1878. 
Immcdiatel}' upon graduation lie entered the law 
office of Mr. A. .J. .Sawyer.of thiscitv and in .January. 
1879, a co-partnership was formed under the flri.i 
name of Sawyer (t Knowlton. The business of tiie 
tirm was almost exclusively one of litigation and 
their clientage was large, demanding their constant 
attention. They were Attorneys for the Toledo. 
Ann Arbor it Noi'thern Railroad Company and 
this relationship gave Mr. Knowlton good oi> 
portunities for the study and practice of railroad 
law and he followed the precei)t of modern days 
to "learn to do by doing." Seareelv an important 
.-^uit was jjlaced upon the docket of AVashtenaw 
County as long .1.S he remained in active practice 
in whicii he did not appear as one of the attorneys 
of record and the information and grasp of legal 
principle brought to oiu- subject by ten years of 
actual forensic conflict were great aids in his stud.\' 
of the science of the law and in his work with 
students. In 1882 Mr. Knowlton received a com- 
mission as Postmaster from President Arthur which 
lie maintained for three yeai's and then turned liis 
attention to his present work. 

During the early histoiy of the La« Department 
till' work was conductccl In lectures exclusively. 
In the autumn <jf l)S8r), Mr. Knowlton was ap- 
pointed Assistant Professor of Law and was given 
charge of the recitation work which w.as in reality 
a new departure in this .school, and so admirably 
has lie with his co-laborers succ-eeded that this de- 
partiiuiit is to-day recognized liy many as having 
the most complete system in the Inited States. 
Much credit is given to Prof. Henr^- "U'ade Rogers, 
but ]\[r. Knowlton was his constant and enthusias- 
tic assistant in this worthy task of raising the 
standard of .scholarship and extending the view of 
young students of law. In .lune of 1889, Pj-of. 
Knowlttm was a})pointed Marshall Pi-ofessor of 
Law and in the summer of 1890 Prof. Rogers ac- 
cepting a call to the Presidency of the Northwest- 
ern University. The following October the regents 
."isked Mr. Knowlton to became acting Dean of the 
law M'hool and the duties of that oflice have been 
fiilfillecl since that time with his customary tact. 
In .lune. 1891 he was made Dean. His knowledge 



of law and his peculiar facility in lecturing, his 
readiness in appreciating the difficulties and his 
skill in assisting the beginner over a difficult sub- 
ject, have made him popular with his pupils. One 
piece of work has specially extended the reputation 
of Mr. Knowlton and the University. In 1888 he 
edited "Anson on Contracts," carefully adding 
leading American cases and arranging all for most 
effective use by students of the law. The book is 
the standard text book on the subject in law 
schools and has proved itself admirably adapted 
to its end. Personally Mr. Knowltou's appear- 
ance is one to inspire confidence in his mental 
acumen. Of a nervous temperament, sensitive to 
a high degree, there is yet a reserve power that is 
felt ill the lines about his firmly compressed lips 
and his keen and brilliant eyes. He is a man of 
the day. who, unless the tension is made too tight 
will find a work that will broaden as the years 
ji.ass by. Politically he is a stanch Rei)ul)licaii. 



SHELDON CKITTKNDEN. It is ever a 
grateful task to the biographer to answer 
) the call to give the life story of a man 
who ha.s served his country upon the field 
of liattlc, and has also done his duty as a private 
citizen in the ordinary walks of life. This double 
career exhibits virtues of various scope, but they 
are after all in unison, as they are based upon integ- 
rity, conscientiousness and devotion to duty. Such 
a life do we find in the gentleman whose name we 
here give. 

This former niemher of the Army of the Poto- 
mac, who resides on section (J, was horn October 
23, 1837, in Ontario County, N. Y. His parents, 
Mortimer and .leauette Crittenden, were natives 
of XcAv York, and his mother, who is still living, 
resides with her son Charles in Ypsilauti Town- 
ship, and has now reached the age of nearly 
eighty years. Our subject wsus only three \ears 
old when he came with his parents to this county, 
and his first Western luiine was on section 14, of 
this township. His father, who died in 1865, was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



32n 



one of the very earliest settlor!- Iiere. and was 
liiijhh- respected anu)ng his neighbors. He was 
the father of ten children, all hut one of whom 
are still in this life, namely: Aledad, Edward, Shel- 
don; Nettie. :Mrs. John I'.inwn: Kllen, :Mrs. W. II. 
Parker; M.ary. wife of William iJrown; Deliorali. 
wife of Charles Lumrey: Adelaide. >Irs. Frank 
Sl.aylon. and Charles. 

Sheldon Crittenden obtained his early school- 
ing in the district schools and grew up a genuine 
pioneer boy. In his boyhood Ypsilanti was but a 
small village and little had been done at the; task 
of subduing the forest and reclaiming it from the 
wilderness. AVhen he w:u> aliout twenty-nine years 
old the home was struck l)y lightning and the 
father was killed, and after that our subject found 
it necessary to assume the entire charge of the 
farm, and as he was one of the older brothers he 
assisted in maintaining and rearing the younger 
members of the family. 

At the time when the Civil War broke out the 
young man's patriotic impulses were stirred and 
he longed to enter the arnw, and in July, 1862, he 
enlisted in Company F. Twenty-fourth Michigan 
Infantry, and became a part of McClellau's Army, 
and subsequently came under the command of 
(4en. Orant. He fought in the battles of Freder- 
icksburg. Chancellorsville and the Wilderness. He 
w.as one of thirty-two picked men in his Ijrigade 
who were mounted and sent to cut off communi- 
cation between the rear of Lee's army and the 
base of supplies, and to destroy the Roanoke 
Bridge. They rode for three days and three nights 
but were unable to accomplish their object. 

This party was captured by the enemy and sent 
to the pi-ison at Wilmington for three weeks, after 
which they spent three weeks in the jail at Charles- 
ton, and were subsequently taken to Andei-sonville. 
and there incarcerated for sonic thne months. 
undergoing the horrors of that prison |ien. They 
were finally transferred to Florence Prison, where 
they remained for several months, and were i)ai- 
oled December 14, 18fi4. They liad lieen in rebel 
prisons for nearly eight months and were in :< 
most depliirnlilc condition when thev ri'aclie<l 
home. 

Being hoiiorablv discharged .Ivdv 1. hSi;.'), this 



brave hero returned to Washtenaw County, and 
was subsequently married to Elizabeth, daughter 
of Ebenezer Eaton. of AVaj-ne County. Four chil- 
dren crowned their union, namely: Mortimer, 
Eaton, Susan and Fannie, .\fter marriage this 
couple removed to Dickerson County. Kan., and 
lived there for twelve years before returning to 
Michigan and settling upon the farm where they 
now live, and where they have eighty .acres of 
arable land in excellent condition and finely im- 
proved. 

The Republican party in its i)lalforni and declar- 
ations voices the political sentiments of our subject, 
and in general matters he is in favor of anything 
which will improve the condition of the county 
and elevate .social life. He is a devoted member 
of the Grand Army of the Republic at Ypsilanti. 
and is identified with the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, and both he and his wife are intelligent 
and active members of society-. 



jf^p;REl)ERK:K SCIIMII) is the junior member 
|— jte)"> of the firm of dry goods merchants that 
/ll is extensively known as that of Mack & 

Schmid of Ann Arbor. F^rederick .Sehniid was born 
in Lodi Township, this county. May 17. 1839. He 
is the third of twelve children, six boys and six 
girls. The parents were F'rederick and LouLsa 
(]\Iann) Schmid who c.uiie to the United States 
when \ouiig. Thty were married in this city. Our 
-subject's niotlier came here in l^fi!). She was a 
daughter of Henry J. JIann. who w.as the first 
(lerman settler in Washten.iw County. Frederick 
.Schmid. the immediate progenitor of our subject, 
was a Lutheran minister and coming fiora Germany 
located in Washtenaw County in 1833, and in 
c<imi)an.\ with Mr. Mann was extremely useful 
ill influencing the settlement of many good Ger- 
man families in AV.ashtenaw County. 

Our subject's father was very active in oiijaniz- 
ing the Lutheran Church in this county and the 
l•e^uU of his effoit has liecn most happy. He came 
here from the Fatherland in the first place as a 



330 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



missionary and well dirl he i)erform his charge. He 
came from Basle, Switzerland and was a recognized 
factor of large influence in tiie Lutheran Church. 
His death occurred August 30, 1883. His wife died 
in 1889. Frederick .Sehmid, Sr.. was a man who 
was very zealous in his religions belief and al- 
tliough in pioneer days he made his circuit to the 
different charges on foot through heavily timbered 
c(Mintry and through mud and water he was 
always punctual in meeting his appointments. 

Of twehe children born to the parents, eleven 
are now living. Our subject, Frederick, Jr., re- 
mained on the home farm until reaching his twelfth 
year. During that time he attended the district 
school in the vicinity and worked out on the 
neigliboriug farms, receiving $12 per month for 
his services. He was thus engaged until nineteen 
years of age and then left the farm and entered 
the employ of .John W. INIaynard in the capacity 
of clerk and with him he remained for some 
months. After that he was employed by Christian 
Mack, and at the end of eighteen months was 
taken into the firm as partner and has since con 
tnnied his relationships with the business. 

The firm of ^lack Ar Sehmid is among tiie lead- 
ing dry-goods houses of Ann Arbor. They not 
only deal extensively in everything with which to 
clothe the body tliat appeals to the feminine taste 
and instincts of beauty, also in carpets, but deal 
besides largely in wool. The original of our sketch 
was married in 1862, to Miss Eliza Mann, a daugh- 
ter of Emanuel Mann. Mrs. Sehmid was born in 
tills city and here was reared and educated. To 
our sul)ject and his wife have been born three chil- 
dren, whose names are Emma E., Oscar F. and 
Edwin E. Oscar is a ehemi.st and engaged in the 
drug and chemical works in J.ackson, Mich. 

Our subject has been honored by election to 
\arious municipal offices. He has been Alderman 
for one term and is now President of the Ann 
Arlioi I'iann iV Organ Company and is Vice-Presi- 
dent of the Ann Arbor Brick iV Tile Company and 
holds the same position in the Business Men's As- 
sociation. He was appointed Trustee of the East- 
ern Michigan Asylum for the Insane and is an 
interested worker for any humanitarian or |)ro- 
gressive enterprise. Our suliject is tlie owner of a 



valuable farm in this county. In politics he attili- 
ates with the Democratic party. In their church 
a.ssociations our suliject with the other members of 
his family belo7igs to the Zion Church. He is Su- 
perintendent of the Sunday-school and also one of 
the Church Trustees. His elegant residence is lo- 
cated on Fifth Avenue and denotes refinement and 
culture in its owner and occupant. 






!^^SI-^"l^ll^#i< 



V HAKLES W. GHOSSMANN. Among the 
leading business firms of Ann Arbor, is that 

_ of (irossmann it Schlenker, dealers in hard- 
ware and house-furnishing goods. Of this firm our 
subject is the senior member. They are successors 
to John Pflsterer at No. 7 Liberty Street. Our 
subject. Mr. Grossmann is a native of the Wolver- 
ine State, having been born in Ann Arbur. .lann- 
ary 16, 1860. He is a second son ^)f .lolui (J. and 
Martha (Hoffman) Grossmann. both of wlioni are 
natives of Wittenberg, (Jermany, and emigrated to 
the United States in 18o4, and to Ann Arbor in 
18.56, spending two years in May town. Pa., where 
he was engaged in carpet weaving. He is still liv- 
ing in Ann Arbor, having passed his three-score 
years and ten. His wife is also living, and is in 
her seventieth year. They are the parents of three 
children, only one of whom, our subject, is now 
living. 

Mr. Grossmann received a good education in the 
public schools of Ann Arbor, including two \ ears 
at the High School. In his thirteenth year lie 
learned the trade of a tinner with Weitbrecht Bro!<., 
dealers in house furnishings and hardware. \\'itli 
them he remained for three years. He then learned 
the tanner's trade with Henry Krause, with whom 
he remained for four years, returning once more 
to the tinner's trade, and following this un- 
til lie embarked in business for himself in 1885. 
forming a [jartnership with Christian Schlenker in 
the hardware .and house furnishing business. The 
firm are doing a fine business, handling furnaces 
and everything pertaining to a general hardware 
trade. 





i/^tr-y^^y^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



333 



Mr. Orossmann was married in 1884 to Miss Mary 
(it'klc, of Monroe, daughter of Jacob (iekle. Her 
parents were formerly from (iermany. Mr. and 
Mrs. Grossmann had one son aged five months, 
now deceased. Mr. (4rossnian is a leading mem- 
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and 
has ijassed all the Chairs of his lodge, and is now 
('ai)tain of Canton No. 30. In polities ho is a 
Democrat. He and his wife are both leading mem- 
bers of the Lutheran ChiU'ch, and reside in a pleas- 
ant home at No. 14 West Second Street, respected 
by all who liave the pleasure of their acquaintance. 



i«^ ,%- 



AKON GRANDERSON DkFOUEST. This 
representative farmer residing on section 
25, Ann Arbor Township, is a native of 
tg^ New York, being born in Livingston 

County, March 7, 1814, and having there received 
his early training and education. His parents, 
.\lonzo and Sarah DeForest, were of Eastern birth, 
the father being born in Connecticut and the 
mother being a daughter of John Millinian. Tiie 
paternal grandfather of our subject was Isaac 
DeForest, of French descent, and his father was 
drafted in the AVar of 1812, but did not serve, hir- 
ing a substitute instead, as his wife w.as then in 
feeble health. 

It was in 1K,"),"> that our subject settled upon his 
present farm, on section 25, Ann Arbor Townsliip. 
He had married in New York Miss Mary Beaman, 
a daughter of James Beaman, by whom he had one 
child, Sarah, now the wife of C. B. Chapin, of De- 
troit, where he is in the employ of the Michigan 
Central Railroad. Mrs. DeForest died June 6, 
1 869', and her husband, upon the 1 3th of May, 1874, 
was united in marriage with Mrs. Mercy Hicks, 
the widow of Amos Hicks, who was a brother 
of Ileman Hicks. Mrs. DcForest's first niai- 
riage took place in H44 and she became a 
widow in 1873. Her maiden name was Mercy 
A. YauNess and she was born in Mendon, 
Monroe County. N. Y., April 21, 1825. Her par- 
ents, Aaron and Sarah (Hiscoek) A'anNess, were 



natives of New York. Her mother died when she 
was a girl of twelve and she came West the next 
year with her sister Alvira to her grandparents, 
Isaac and Ph<ebe (Crandall) Hiscoek, of Washte- 
naw County, who had settled in Superior Town- 
ship in 1826. 

Themotlier of our subject l)ore the juaideu name 
of Sarah JMilliman and she reared to manhood four 
sons, namely: Benjamin G., who died some seven 
years ago at the age of eighty-one, having spent 
ten years of his life in Ann Arbor, but some live 
years before his death he removed to Climax, 
Mich., where he died; Ezekiel M., deceased; Sam- 
uel, who lives in Illinois; and our subject. The 
parents both died in New York. Aaron was a far- 
mer's boy and learned all the thorough, systematic 
work which falls to the lot of such youths; he also 
took the brick-mason's trade at the age of eigh- 
teen and followed it for some twenty _\ ears, hav- 
ing charge of the construction of some large 
buildings. He became a manufacturer also of pat- 
ent cultivators before coming West. Here he has 
carried on mixed farming, devoting much atten- 
tion to grain. His first forty-four acres were al- 
ready in an improved condition and he has 
iniproved for himself about forty acres more. 
From 187() to 1H8() our subject was one of the 
Aldermen of Ann Arbor, but as his health has 
failed to .a considerable extent, he has ])referred 
the retirement of a farm. 

On an .accompanying page the reader will Hud 
a lithographic jjortraitof Mr. DeForest. 



^=m>^^<^ 



\f^^ REDERICK A. (tRA\ES. Among the piom- 
kr^^ ineiit and leading pioneers and agricultur- 
/i\ ists of Washtenaw County who are .selected 

for rejiresentation in this biograi)hical work, we 
take pleasure in presenting the worthy subject of 
this sketch. Mr. Graves who is h resident on sec- 
tion 28, Ypsilanti Township, Washtenaw County, 
is a native of this place and was born on the farm 
whereon he now resides, July 24, 1831. He is a 
son of Lvnian and Olive (Gorton) Craves. The 



334 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGKAPHICAL ALBUM. 



former was a native of Massachusetts and tlie latter 
of Xew York State. He is probably of Scotch-Eng- 
lish ancestry, his parental ancestors, it is said, 
having emigrated from Scotland in an early day 
.as his maternal ancestors did from England. His 
parental grandfatlier, Selah (Traves. is said to have 
l)cen a Revolutionary soldier and a captain in that 
memorable struggle. For a detailed history of our 
subject's parents see sketch of A. K. (iiaves in an- 
other portion of this vohnne. 

Frederick A. ft raves, our suljject, lus a lad was 
reared on the parental farm amid scenes of pioneer 
rudeness and severity of life. After attaining the 
rudiments of an education in the district schools 
of the vicinity he for a time attended the Ypsilanti 
Seminary. He assisted in drawing the first lumber 
used in building the first Normal school in Ypsil- 
anti which has since been burned. He has ever 
l)een an extensive reader and is to some extent a 
self-educated man. His father was a farmer and 
the proprietor of a saw-mill aud when grown our 
subject for three years was engaged as his father's 
assistant in running the mill. The Imhince of his 
time was spent on the farm. 

August 24, ISol, the imjwrtant step of taking a 
wife was entered into by our subject. .\t that time 
he was married to Martha .T. Lowdeu, a sister of 
the Hon. J. L. [..owden, of whom a sketch appears 
in another part of this work. By this union there 
has been a number of children, of whom the follow- 
ing survive: Alpheus A., .Tames L., Metta O., Teresa 
M.. Annie A. and .John M. Mr. Graves is the 
ownier of one linndred and thirty-two .acres of land 
which is under a good state of cultivation, and this 
property he has acquired entirely by his own efforts. 
He is a membei' of the Pioneer Society of Washte- 
naw, among whose archives theearlj' history of the 
men and women who struggled to Lay the founda- 
tion upon which the social order of the future 
should be firmly Itased, will be most interesting 
history to future generations. Mr. Graves has been 
awarded a number of responsible positions within 
the gift of the townsliip. He has for some time 
served as (irain Commissioner of Ypsilanti Town- 
ship and Ims mIso been for several years .lustice of 
the Peaci' .•lud i- in many ways thoroughly identi- 
lied with the growth of the township and vicinity. 



In their church relations our subject and his wife 
are members o"f the Presbyterian body at Ypsilanti. 
Devoting himself to general farming, he of whom 
we write takes especial pride in the fine grade of 
Merino sheej) which he raises and also in the lieau- 
tiful Durham and .Jersey cattle, which are found 
in large numbers upon the farm. He is a Repuljli- 
can in politics and his confidence in his party is 
imshaken by strife or party dissension. Mr. (Graves 
is well known for his honesty and sterling integrity 
in business. His fine farm is a standing monument 
to his industry and good management. He enjoys 
to an unusual degree the confidence of the coni- 
niunitv. 



Ii SAAC C. HANDY. Among the industries of 
Ann Arbor that of carriage-making holds a 
\ prominent place and our subject, who is a 
carriage painter of moi'e than ordinary .ability .and 
skill, finds abundant opportunities for the exer- 
cise of his trade. He was liorn in Madison County, 
N. Y., in the town of Lenox, on the 1 1th of April, 
1824, His father, Caleb Handy, was a native of 
Massachusetts and a millwright, who died some 
two months before the liirth of this son. Tiie 
mother of our subject was Sarah Kei'n, also a na- 
tive of New York and a daughter of (ieorge Kern, 
of (ierman descent. 

Caleb Handy, who was also nf English stock. 
married and began life in New York at Lenox, 
.and there worked at his trade luitil liis death. 
His widow subsequently remarried, and she and 
her second husband removed to Indiana, where 
she lived luitii lier death, which ocon-red in her 
sixty-fifth year. 

Isaac C. Handy is the youngest of two brotiiers 
who were born liy the first marriage, and as, on 
account of his orplianage, he w.as thrown at a ten- 
der age .among strangers, his schooling was some- 
what limited; but. a.~ we have learned through 
our study of the biograi)hy of men of char.actcr. 
this did not prevent him rising m the world. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



335 



From his twclt'tli to his sixteenth year he wai 
cniployed, as was Garfield, in driving horses on tlic 
tow-path of a (.'anal, after wliicli lie worked on a 
farm, lli' then learned house, sisju and carriaije 
liaintinti; in Nili>s. ^Mich.. and afterward at Elkhart, 
hid. 

In the spring of 1808 the young man came to 
Ann Arbor and took up the work which he has 
since pursued of oai-riage painting, doing this for 
others and also for himself, being one of the firm 
of Handy, Schmidt ct ]McI>eau until their business 
was burned out. after wliich the firm was changed 
to Handy, Wurster & McLean, who continued in 
the manufacture of carriages and buggies for sev- 
eral years. 'Sir. Handy then devoted himself more 
entirely to working for him.self in his own shop, 
and continued thus up to the present time, build- 
ing up an excellent business at his establishment, 
which is located at Xo. 3 Fourth Avenue. 

Nothing in the history of this valued citizen is 
of more interest than his marriage, which took 
place December 31, 184!), when he w.as united with 
Miss Martha L. Henning, of Ann Arbor, daughter 
of .James Henning. This lady was born in Ire- 
land. Init came to the I'nited States wlien quite a 
young girl, and she by her union with Mr. Handy 
became the mother of two sons and one daughter: 
(ieorge A., wlio is a clerk in a dry-goods store; 
Clara .1.. who married AVilliam K. Clark, a travel- 
ing salesman, and Charles. The mother of these 
children passed from earth in 1867, and Mr. Handy 
married his present companion in 1870, her maiden 
name being Helen E. Sumner. She is the daughter 
of James Sumner, a farmer from the Empire State. 
This marriage brought to our sniiject one son, 
•lames S., who is now at home. 

The gentleman of whom we write served two 
ye.ars as an Alderman in the First Ward. He is a 
member of the Golden Rule Lodge, F. tt A. M.. 
where he ranks as IMaster Mason, and has been 
High Priest in Ann Arbor Chapter, No. (J. \l. A. M. 
His political convictions have brought him into 
line with the rank and file of the Republican 
party. The home of this family is located at Xo. 
.52 South Division Street, and it is most pleasantly 
situated and surrounded by other delightful homes. 
One great aHli<-tioii canie to the household in the 



death by drowning of the son. Charles, in April, 
1873. The boat in which he was taking a pleas- 
ure ride capsized in the Huron I\i\er and this 
liriglit young life wns lost. 



jlCHAHD BILl'.lE. Ann Arbor Townshi]). 
like many other part-; of Washtenaw 
County, has benefited by an influx into 



who have iielped to build up the agricultural and 
commei'cial prosperity of this section of the country. 
Our subject was born in Nottingham, England, Xo- 
vember 2, 1829, and when he came to America he 
was accompanied by one sister, of whom our readers 
will learn more in the sketch of her husband, Mr. 
.Joseph Wliitlark. Their parents, Walter and Lucy 
(Henson) Bilbie, were both natives of Nottingham, 
where the father was a lace manufacturer and 
owned a number of expensive lace machines. He 
had been prosperous until the extreme hard times 
of the famine in Ireland .ind Europe, and was at 
that time erecting new Iniildings and investing 
heavily in other directions, when the stringency of 
the times caused his failure in busincsx. He came 
to America in the fall of 1848 and bought the 
Anderson farm three miles north of Ann Arbor, 
and there lived till toward the close of his life. 

The Bilbie family was originally from Xoiinaii- 
lou Hall, Xottingh.amshire. and historical annals 
show the family to have been of considerable im- 
portance, some of its members having held shrie- 
valties and other positions of similar r.ank. During 
the year 1849, the mother and three of the family, 
Hich.ard, Lncy B. and Caroline, came to this country 
and joined the father. Caroline died at the age 
of twenty-<me, two years after coming to America; 
Richard was then in his twentieth year and he re- 
mained with his father for seven and one-half years 
before returning to England. 

During his visit to his native land I\iiliar<l liilliie 
was married upon the 8th of I'ebruar\-, 18;')9, at 
Beasford Church, in a suburli of Xottiugliam, his 
bride being Miss Mar\- Ann Henrv. a native of that 



336 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArmCAL ALBUM. 



city. He remained in England some tiiree year.- 
employed ais a clerk in a wholesale house, and 
then returning to Michigan, bought the eighty 
acres that lay nearest to his father's land which 
was partly improved and had upon it a log 
house. With the exception of two years which he 
passed at Chelsea, where he was carrying nn the 
grocery tratle, this farm has lieen his home ever 
since his return to this county. It comprises one 
hundred and thirty acres of excellent land and is 
in a thorough state of cultivation. Mr. Bilhie has 
made two visit* to England since his marriage, the 
last one being in 1879. 

The children who have been granted to our sul)- 
ject are, AV'^alter Samuel. Edward Xormanton and 
.lames. .James and Walter are at home and the 
latter has charge of the farm. His wife is Kate 
Amelia Welling. Edward has a strong natural 
musical talent and has made great proficiency on 
the violin, of which lie lias been a teacher. For 
three years lie was a student of this instrument in 
Berlin, Germany, taking instruction under the 
ablest masters, completing his work under the 
supervision of the renowned Prof. Wirth. of the 
celebrated .Joachim Instrumental (Quartette. One 
of his instructors was Emilie Sauret, a professor of 
the Royal Academy. The father of this family 
was, in his earlier days, a Democrat, but for a num- 
ber of years has attached himself to the Republican 
])arty. He is a Unitarian in his religious belief and 
his wife is connected witli the J^jpiscojjal Church. 
The family is one which is helpful in every way. 
especially in raising the standard of education and 
life in the township. 



I^h1h^[ 



EKEMIAII r. SlLl.n AN is a retired far- 
mer, living in Ann Arlior. where he has a 
pleasant home and enjoys the advantages 
_ to be derived from a residence in a city so 
bounteously gifted in various wa\s, as is this. 
Our subject was born at Castle Island, in the 
County of Kerry, Ireland, Novemlter 11, 1822, 
His father, Tliomas Sullivan, was a modest farmer. 



His mother, who.'^e maiden name was Ella O'Con- 
nor, was a native of Ireland and a daughter of 
David O'Connor. Slie was descended from a 
nol)le family and i> justly jiroud of her ancestry. 
After marriage she and her husband settled on a 
farm and in 1840 emigrated to the I'nited States, 
locating in the city of Boston, where our subject's 
father died. His wife followed him to the better 
land not a great while after. They are botli in- 
terred ill t le cemetery near Boston. 15oth were 
devoted nieinbers of the Catholic Church. They 
were the parents of nine children, six of whom 
survive at the jjresent time, three being lioys and 
tliree girls. 

.leieniiah T. Sullivan was the second sou and 
third child in order of birth of his parent-;' family. 
He passed his schooldays at Castle Island, Ireland, 
pursuing his studies until twenty years of .age, 
remaining at home until twenty-three year.'- of age, 
when he emigrated to the United States. 

After the family was settled in Boston our sub- 
ject cngfiged in diffeieut kinds of business, for the 
family was so straightened in circumstances that 
he was willing to do anything in order tf) earn an 
honest dollar. After saving some money he drifted 
West to IMichig.an and purchased eighty acres of 
land in the townshi)) of Scio and here devoted 
himself to farming, adding to the tract until he has 
one hundred and thirty-six acres. I'pon this he 
erected good buildings, engaging meantime in gen- 
eral farming and stockraising. He always kept upon 
his jilace a good flock of sheep and a high grade 
of cattle. He was one of the most successful wheat 
and potato growers of his neighborhood and contin- 
ued to Ije actively interested in his agricultural work 
until 1879, when he I uilt a fine residence in Ann 
Arbor, to which he moved his family. Here he 
and his have since resided, their lives lieing ordered 
most pleasantly. The home is beautiful and intel- 
ligence reigns thereover. He sometimes returns 
to Scio to look after his farming interest;-, but 
spends most of his time in the city. 

In 18.i4 Mr. Sullivan was married to jMi» Mary 
Roche, of Boston, Mass. Mrs. Sullivan is a native 
of the same portion of Ireland as is her husband. 
She is a daughter of Morris Roche. Our subject 
and his wife are the ])arents of nine children, all 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



337 



of wIkhh lived tu reacli years of maturity and eight 
of tlieni survive at tlie present time. Tlie}- are 
Thomas J., Ella. Morris I).. Miiry, Patrick ,1., Mat- 
thew J., Margaret. .lohn .-nid Ann. Thomas is a 
physician, who was assistanl surgeon in the medi- 
cal department of the rniversity of Jlichigan for 
seven years; he is now practicing in Chicago. 111.; 
Klla is deceased; Morris is a professor in the Cath- 
olic University at St. I>ouis. Mo.; Mary is a clerk m 
the postolHce at Ann Arhor; Paddy is a dentist at 
Eaton Rapids, this State; and .Matthew .1. is a ship- 
ing clerk in a store in Chicago; .lohn is a farmer 
in Missouri; Margaret and Ann are still inmates of 
the home. 

Mr. Sullivan has served for several years as a 
memher of the School Hoard; he was elected to 
the office of Justice of the Pe.ace, which he filled, 
and was re-elected, but refused to qualify. He 
and his family are members of the St. Thomas 
Catholic Church, and are consistent and faithful in 
living up to their creed. Our subject is a Demo- 
crat in his political views but in local matters votes 
the Independent ticket. 



eORNELIUS L. TUOMY. Many of the best 
known farmers and residents of W.ashtenaw 
^ County, have been born and reared within 

its confines. This is the case with Mr. Tuomy, 
whose home on section 33. .Vnn Arlior Township, 
and who was born in the town of Scio in 1843. 
His father. Timothy Tuomy, w.-is born in County 
Kerry. Ireland, in 17H(1, and died in Ai)ril. \XM. 
having reached the age of eighty-four years. He 
came hither in 1H38, and in connection with his 
l)rotlier John, who was in the custom office at New 
York City, he purchased one of the first farms in 
Washtenaw County, a tract of land which has be- 
come noted as one of the handsomest properties 
here. It is near the city of Ann Arbor, and its 
situation is most attractive. 

The father of our subject a(lde<l to his oriirinal 
purchase about one liuiidi-ed Mini twenty aci'es. 



His strength was impaired by an accident which oc- 
curred in 1840, as his horses ran away and threw 
him out upon the ground, and he was compelled to 
have his arm amputated. Mrs. Tuimiy lived to the 
same age as her husband, and passed from earth 
July 13, 187i). He was a iirominent man.and offi- 
ciated in many (jlaecs of local tru>t and responsi- 
bility. Their family consisted of Uie following 
children: William R., Margaret, .lohn, Johannah. 
Patrick, Ellen, Hannora, Mary and Cornelius L. 
Margaret is now Mrs. Miller, of Xorthfleld, and 
^Mary is Mrs. A. (). Hilton, of St Louis, Mich., and 
Ellen is Mrs. James Osborne, of Scio; John left 
home at the age of eighteen, and went South be- 
fore the war and has never since been heard from; 
Hannora died when a young woman ; and Patrick 
lives on the old homestead. The maiden name of 
the mother of these children was Johanna Roache 
and the year in which she was wedded to tlieii- fa- 
ther was in 181.j. 

Our subject was born (October 28, 1843, on the 
old homestead in Scio. After attending the High 
School at Ann Arbor, he undertook teaching and 
carried it on for foui- years in the home township, 
remaining under the parental roof until 1874, 
when lie came to his present farm. He and Patrick 
had purchased the old homestead in 1862, and un- 
til the summer of 1891, they have been partners, 
although as we have said, our subject removed from 
beneath that roof in 1874, as he had purchased an 
adjoining tract of one hundred and twenty acres, 
and at the same time he l>ought the farm which he 
now has, comprising tvvf) hundred and twenty- 
seven acres. Although this property is all contigu- 
ous, the brothers are managing it se])arately, as 
Patrick remains on the old place. 

Both Cornelius and Patrick Tuomy ever loved 
T good horse, and our suliject has some fine animals 
on his place, his horse "Barney Wilkes" beingcon- 
sidered of great value. He does not devote his 
whole time, however to stock, but carries on gen- 
eral farming. He was married September 3, 188.5, 
to Miss Julia Ann Kearney, daughter of Thomas 
and Catherine (Duffy) Kearney, of Xorthfleld 
Township, where this lady was l)orn upon the 13th 
of November, 18;'),o. Thomas Kearney was born in 
County Tii)i)erary. Ireland, and came to this conn- 



33« 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



U-y ill 1S40. He was married in AVebster Towu- 
.sliip. tliis cuuiitv, and there made his home. His- 
family consisted of two sons and three daughters. 
The family of our subject consisted of the fol- 
lowing children: t'ornelius William Roaciie, bom 
September 27, 1886; Catherine Genevieve, Septem- 
ber 13, 1888; Thomas Kearney, September 21, 1 ■'!»'). 
The farm upon which this family resides is about 
one mile east of the city, and is one of tlie most 
desiralile and thoroughly cultivated farms in the 
vicinity. The father of our suliject was considered 
one of the most enterprising farmers in the county 
in tiiose days. His son is an intelligent and pro- 
gressive farmer, and in his political sympathies 
classes liimself in the Democratic party. Both he 
and his wife are devoted members of the Roman 
Catholic Church, and Mrs. Tuomy is a woman of 
rare intelligence, having great social power and 
liopularity. 



^-^ E()H(;E I). WIARD. Michigan has, for a 
III ,^— mimber of years, enjoyed a wide spread rep- 
>^^ utation as being one of the most prolific 
fruit-growing States in the central cluster. Our 
suV)ject, George D. Wiard has taken advantage of 
this fact to inaugurate an industry that has been a 
great success. His fine farm, located on section 12. 
Ypsilanti Township, which is in the northeastern 
portion (jf the county and well watered by the 
charming stream, Willow Branch, is the place where- 
on is conducted a large establishment for making 
cider vinegar, refined cider, and for evaporating 
fruit. The products turned out from this factory 
are already celebrated by their excellence and pre- 
ference by epicures in table delicacies. 

Combined with his manufacturing above referred 
to, the original of our sketch is an extensive farmer 
and stock-raiser. He is a native of Washtenaw 
t'ounty and one of its most (irogressive citizens- 
He was born November 17, 1837, and is a son of 
Lyman and Hannah (Field) Wiard. His father 
was a native of Connecticut, but was reared and 



educated in New ^'ork State, of which State his 
mother was also a native. In the fall of 1833 his 
parents emigrated to Alichigun and settled at once 
Ypsilanti Township, this county, on section 11. 
where they were among the earliest picineeis. 
Their first home was a log cabin in llie woods. 
They had three children — Charles (i., Helen, who 
is now the wife of Seth Arnold, and George J). 
That our subject's father was gifted with much 
dynamic power is j>roved by the state to which 
lie reduced his wild farm and the inheritance that 
he left his children; not great in a monetary respect 
but in ingenuity, intelligence and organizing ability 
Miey are second to none. Our subject's father con- 
tributed largely to the State Normal to have it 
located at Ypsilanti and was n lilieral giver to 
churclies. 

He of whom we write h.is been largely associated 
in the whole course of his career with the country 
in which he lives. His father at an early day was 
engaged in the burning of lime, which was used in 
the erection of buildings in Yp.silanti and vicinity. 
Frequently our suliject has remained in the lime- 
kiln until long after nightfall, engaged in making 
stories for himself whose characters took form in 
the circling smoke and mist. The boy was educated 
in the old Union school at Ypsilanti, to which in- 
sLitution his father had been one of the first con- 
tributors, it being greatl\ to his interest to have 
educational advantages as pronounced as possible 
at that point. Receiving fair educational advant- 
ages the practical experiences of life have enriched 
his intelligence more than anything derived from 
text-books. For about thirty years he has been 
engaged in manufacturing refined cider and cider 
vinegar, where he employs a large force of men. 
He is also an extensive milk shipper, .sending the 
chief portion of this product to Detroit. 

iSIr. Wiard's manufacturing plant located on his 
farm cost about ^sld.Odd. He owns besides an ex- 
teiisiv^e farm which he operates in connection with 
his plant. Our subject wat* married September 19, 
1860, to Miss Ann Eliza Wilkinson, a daughter 
of James Wilkinson of Oneida County, N. Y. By 
this marriage there are ten children. Those living 
lie as follows: C. Willard. Frank II.. Eveiette W., 
>Valter .1.. Uoln-it. (irnce anil Helen. I'dliticallv 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUJI. 



339 



lif of whom we write affiliates with the Republican 
party. Althouoh he lias frequently been solicited 
to become a caudidate for special ottices of trust in 
his township he has no ambition to act in this cap- 
acity; leaving that to others who liy inclination 
and natural gifts are fitted for it. His son. Frank 
II. >Viard, is tlic present Tivasiirer of Yiisilanli 
Township. 

In favor of every progressive movement, oui 
subject has always been zealous in his support of 
measures that jjromise to be of advantage to the 
locality of which he is a resident. In their church 
relations both he and his wife are members of the 
Presbyterian denomination. Socially he and the 
members of his family are leaders in this locality. 
lie is also greatly interested in school matters. In 
addition to the interests al)ove mentioned Mr. 
Wiard has for .several years engaged in mining for 
oxide of iron. This he prepares on his farm which 
produces large quantities of the same. For several 
years he has also engaged in evaporating and dry- 
ing apples. His trade is not confined to his 'own 
locality or State, his product finding a ready mai - 
ket throughout the I'nion and his liusiness is rap- 
idly extending. His plant is well equipped with 
modern machinery and requires the attention of a 
large nunilier of workmen. 



^JAMES W. HOWRX. the popular city engi- 
neer who is in charge of the water 
works in Ypsilanti, was born in Chautauqua 
County, X. Y., November 12, 1849. and 
was there reared to the age of twelve years. His 
fathei-, .1. C. Bowen, of English descent, was liorn 
in Eastern New York and he also was an engineer. 
In his early days he ran locomotives in New York 
and later was engineer in the oil regions and is 
.still in Warren County, Pa. 

The mother of (>ur subject. Charlotte Barlier. 
was born in Eastern New Y'ork and is the daugh- 
ter of a farmer who came to Michigan and located 
in Superior Townshij). where lie found employ- 
ment as a mechanic and Hiialh died about IS7((. 



■ 



His daughtci' resides with her son, our subject. Of 
her three children.. lames W. was next to the eldest, 
and he came West with her in 1860 and when sixteen 
went East for a season to Dunkirk, X. Y., where 
he worked as fireman on the Lake Shore ct Michi- 
gan .Southern Road and then found employment 
on the farm. He had gone to school winters up 
to the time he was tw-elve years old and had 
been under the care of an uncle duiiug liis earlier 
year>. 

I'pon his return from the East young Bowen 
found employment in running .steam engines in 
the vicinity of Ypsilanti for several years and then 
acted as locomotive engineer between Erviiie and 
Oil City, to which people were running in great 
masses. In 1870 he took charge of a stationary 
engine at Tidioiit, Pa., and continued there .as en- 
gineer for some time. He then returned to Ypsi- 
lanti where at first he tried f.arming and then was 
engaged b\' the Beach Carriage Company and 
afterward worked in Cornwall's paper mill. Four 
years later he returned to the oil regions and 
engaged in pumping oil at Titusville. for one 
year. 

Mr. Bowen now again came to Ypsilanti where 
he engaged for a year at the Sanitarium, and later 
he ran a machine shop for the Gladstone and Saulte 
St. Marie Company. In 1889 he was employed l)y 
the city as engineer, first in drilling a well at the 
Michigan Southern depot and later in the prepar- 
ation of the water works, and in April, 1890, re- 
ceived the appointment as City Engineer which he 
has held since, having the entire supervision of 
the works. 

The water works of Ypsilanti are carried on ac- 
cording to the stand-pipe system, having two hun- 
dred-horse water power and having a three hundred 
and fifty-eight horse-power steam engine, and one 
steam pump. The stand-pipe is eighty-five feet 
high and forty feet in diameter. The cap.acity of 
the pump is one and one-half million gallons a 
day and the second pump has a capacity of seven 
hundred and fifty thousand gallons a day. Mr. 
Bowen was married in Ypsilanti in 1883 to Mi.ss 
Addie White, who was born near Meadville, Pa. 
He w.as a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and also of the Knights of the Maccabees, 



340 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



but from both he is now demitted. In his political 
affiliations he is quite independent and endeavors'to 
cast his ballot for the man who will be most useful 
to the community without regard to his political 
ties. 



.^jOLOMOX F. SKAUS. It is with sin.ere 
'^^ gratification that the biographer recounts 



■^^ ULOAIO.N 1-. SKAK 
'^^ gratification that tli 
(jl^j) the life story of any 



one of our brave pio- 
neers who iiave changed the wilderness 
into the beautiful and prosperous Stat* which 
Michigan is to-day. One who did not know the 
history of the past can scarcely believe wlien he 
looks upon the s|)lendid farm of Mr. Sears that it 
was ever a trackless wilderness, much less that that 
was its condition less than a half century ago. This 
farm lies mostly in Ann Arbor Township, but as 
the road takes a turn from the section line the 
home is situated in Northfield Township and 
therefore the citizenship of our subject lies there. 

He of whom we write no doubt inherited many 
of his nobler qualities from his sturdy, energetic 
ancestors and his aliility as a pioneer was essen- 
tially that which marked the career of his progeni- 
tors. His father, Peter Sears, who was born in 
Massachusetts, August 24, 1787 was a descendant 
of Richard Sears, one of the Pilgrim fathers, 
who came to America in that famous year 
1(520. Peter Sears was married March 15. 1808 to 
Lucy Fuller, who was born in Massachusetts, 
February 22. 1789. They were both natives of 
the same town and their childish friendship was 
cemented into a life long union of harmony and 
usefulness. The descent of our suliject from his 
Pilgrim forefather is as follows througli successive 
generations. Richard who was born in 1590 came 
to Plymouth in 1620 and died in 1676 was the fa- 
ther of Silas, the father of Joseph, whose son 
Zachariah was the father of Rowland, who in turn 
was the father of Peter and the grandfather of oui- 
suliject. 

Our subject is one of a large family of eight 
sons and two daughters born to his parents and it 
was in 1826 when his father came to ^lichigan and 



took up one hundred and eighty acres where our 
subject now lives. In June of the following year 
when Solomon was eleven years <;>ld the family 
came on and made their new home where the fa- 
tlier had in;irked out tlie way. The first home, a 
log cabin, was erected in Webster Town.ship, and 
Peter afterward built another home on the present 
tract and resided here until his death. The parents 
passed from earth within less than a decade of each 
other, the father dying January 18. 1867 and the 
mother January 23, 1875. 

The children of this pioneer family were 'IMiank- 
fui, Mrs. Orvill Banies; Peter Jr., of Eaton t (iuiit_\ ; 
Mary Ann. Mrs. Abram ^Moe, deceased; .Solomon 
F.; Samuel D., Russell, (icoige, Lewis C, and Will- 
iam Franklin, are deceased; John resides at Lead- 
ville, C"ol. The son Russell died while serving his 
country during the Civil War and passed from life 
February 18, 1864, at Louisville, Ky. 

Peter Sears had three l)rothers who came to 
Michigan after he did, namely: Dr. Thomas. Dr. 
Abner and Zachariah, and all have now passed from 
earth's activities. The farm which Peter Sears se- 
cured before his death was one of three hundred 
and ten acres and had become exceedingly produc- 
tive and most highly cultivated. He had a com 
mission from the Governor of ^Lassachusetts as 
Lieutenant of the State Militia in that Common- 
wealth. Both he and his faithful wift- were worthy 
members of the Congregational Cliuicli of Web- 
ster Township. 

Solomon Sears was born in Franklin County. 
Mass., June 22, 1816 and on December 24, 1845 
he was united in marriage with Olive D. Fisher, at 
Tecumseh, who was born in Mas.sachusetts in Octo- 
ber, 1820 and who died April 3. 1874. Four chil- 
dren were born to them — Lucy K.. now the widow 
of Dr. E. McF'arland; Isadore died in infancy; 
Dwight Brainard is now in charge of the farm and 
Henry L. died in 1887. The .second marri.age of 
our subject was in August, 1875 and he was then 
joined with Ph(ebe L. (Robinson) Hull who was 
born January 29, 1832 in Niagara C<iunty. N. Y. 

Our subject has ever resided upon this farm, 
which consists of one hundred and eighty-three 
acres, of his father's old homestead all under good 
i Tiprovc but he at one time engaged for some six 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



343 



or eiglit years in the nierciiiitile butsiness. lie is 
making a specialty of fine slieep and breeds Slirop- 
sliires, talving preniiiinis upon tliem at the eounty 
and State Fairs. Politically, Mr. Sears was origin- 
ally a Whig and later a Republican, casting his 
first Presidential ballot for William Henry Harri- 
son, and last for his grandson, Benjamin Harrison. 
He is prominently identified with the Congrega- 
tional Church in which he has been both Trustee 
and Superintendent of the Sunday -school for a 
series of jears. He has an excellent library of 
standard works and in his hospitable home he 
keeps ui) the reputation which was his father's so 
many years, of keeping open house not only ''or 
his friends, but for all who need the comfort of a 
warm fireside and a friendly grasp of the hand. 



DWAKI) THKADWKLL, a capitalist of no 
small reputation in tiie city of Ann Arlnjr, 
was born in Cayuga County, N. V.. in the 
town of Ledyard, December 10. 1823. He is a son 
of Benjamin Treadwell, a native of New York, 
and born on Long Island, August 18, 178.'). lie 
early learned the tanner's trade, but later Iwcinie 
a farmer. Benjamin Treadwell was the son of 
Edward Treadwell. who was of Scotch ancestry, 
the first representative of the family having come 
here in 1620. t)ur subject's mother was before 
her marriage a Miss Mary Ilelikei-, also a native 
of New York, anda daughter of John Heliker. who 
was of Dutch descent and a native of Dutchess 
County, N. Y. From there Mr. Ilelikei- moved to 
Cayuga County, where they located upon a farm 
which was his home until his dc.-itli. wiiich oc- 
curred January 10. 1867, the mother passing away 
.Vugust 20, 1867, in her seventy -seventh year. 

I'nto the parents of our subject weix- born nine 
children, four boys and five girls, of whom four 
are still living, three brothers and one sister. Kd- 
ward Treadwell was the fifth in the family. He 
passed his school days in attendance at the coun- 
try schools at Coon lev's Corners, giving his atten- 
tion to his Iiooks throu<>h the winters ;nid spi nd- 



iug his summers in farm work. He remained under 
the parental roof until reaching his majority. 

In 1847 Edward Treadwell came to Washtenaw 
County and located on a farm about two miles 
distant from Ann Arlior. His first purchase com- 
piised eighty acres of land, for which he paid *13 
lier acre. Three years later he sold this and pur- 
ch.ased one hundred and sixty acres in the same 
township and lived three years there, later buying 
two bundled acres in Ann Arbor Township. He 
continued to engage in general farming at the 
latter place for twelve years, i)utting good im- 
piovements upon his estate and erecting excellent 
liarns and outbuildings. At the end of the period 
aliove mentioned he removed to Ann Arbor and 
engaged in the sale of agricultural implements for 
four years. He was very successful in this branch 
of business, but determined to return to agricul- 
tural pursuits. Accordingly, he purchased two 
hundred and twenty acres in Scio Township, and 
made that his home for four years, thence moving 
back to Ann Arbor, where he purchased his pres- 
ent residence on East Huron Street. 

Since coming to Ann Arbor Mr. Treadwell has 
devoted his time and attention to looking after 
his general business, which extends out in various 
directions. He was interested in the furniture 
business for two years, and then sold out and re- 
tired from active pursuit of commercial life. Our 
subject was married February 13, 1845, to Miss 
Adah Zillah Wooden, of Cayuga County, N. Y.. 
and a daughter of Philii) Wooden. In p.ast years 
Mr. Treadwell served as Supervisor of Ann Arbor 
Township, lu his jxilitical faith he has been a 
strict Republican. 

Our subject and his wife are memliers of the 
Episcopal Church, in which ]\Ir. Treadwell has 
been a Trustee for sonic time. His parents were 
of the (Quaker faith, and he himself was brought 
up in that jiacific belief. Mr. Treadwell is a stock- 
holder and director in the First National Bank. 
He has the entire confidence of the citizens of this 
place, which has been displayed in various ways. 
He has been appointed administrator of several 
valuable estates, among them the Hiram Arnold 
estate, valued at $7.5,000. He commenced his 
career on verv limited means, working out bv tiie 



344 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



mouth, but by energy and good management be 
has accumulated a very handsome property, which 
includes valuable city property, comprising dwell- 
ings, besides the farm that he owns in this town- 
ship. His residence at No. 49 East Huron Street 
is conspicuous for the air of quiet elegance that 
reigns therein. 

In connection with this liiographical sketch the 
reader will notice a lithographic portrait of ilr. 
Treadwell. 



^^ 



|I7 ORANK E. C. THORN. Piominent in 
I (^ social, religious and agricultural circles is 
J^^ the venerable pioneer of Washtenaw County 
whose name appears at the head of this paragraph. 
His birth occurred in Seneca County, N. Y., ^lay 
22, 1820, and his parents, .Tames and Anna(Cham- 
berlin) Thorn, were natives of Pennsylvania and 
New York respectively, tlie paternal ancestry being 
from Wales. In his native home this boy remained 
until he reached the age of fifteen, studying in the 
district schools and undertaking the usual tasks of 
a farmer's boy. The family then crossed the lake 
to Detroit and continued their journey in a wagon 
to Monroe Countj-, Mich., where they located for 
some time. At the age of seventeen the young 
man began to learn the trade of a millwright and 
after serving an apprenticeship for four years he 
followed the trade as a workman and contractor. 
The last three years of his apprenticeship were 
spent in Washtenaw County, and he made his head- 
quarters at Ypsilanti. After seventeen years' work 
at his trade he turned his attention to agriculture 
and established himself upon the farm where he 
now lives, still, however, carrying on his trade in 
connection with farming. 

The fine residence which now marks tlie home of 
Mr. Thorn has supplanted the log cabin which he 
found upon the farm, and where his family was 
first housed, and he has also erected most ex- 
cellent barns and every appurtenance which is nec- 
essary upon the farm. He now owns one hundred 
and forty-five acres of land and the homestead it- 



self comprises sixty-five acres. He devotes much 
attention to the raising of a good grade of MeriiKj 
sheep. His excellent store of information has been 
largely gained liy an independent course of read- 
ing as his school advantages were not extensive. 

The happy wedding day of Mr. Thorn was Feb- 
ruary 17. 1842. and his bride was Mary Chaniber- 
lin, whose birth took place in Livingston County, 
N. Y., October 29, 182.3. Her father. Wells Cham- 
lin, of AYelsh descent, was a native of Massachusetts, 
and her mother, Mir.anda ^Marvin, was born in 
Otsego County. N. Y. The father was the great- 
grandson of ^lartiii Cleveland, a Kc\'()lutionary 
soldier. 

A happy circle of nine children gathered around 
the hearthstone of our suliject and his excellent 
wife and three of the nurnl)er have now passed on 
to the better world, while those that remain have 
grown up to take their positions of responsiliility 
in the work of the world. .Tames is in Jlinnesota. 
William in Ypsilanti, wliile Mary, who is the wife 
of William Collar, lives in Ypsilanti Township. 
Edgar makes his home in Yi)silanti and W^alter 1). 
is a telegrapii operator in Muskegon. The son. 
Martin C, was a soldier for three years in the Civil 
War and served in many battles. l)ut survived 
them all and died in February, 1890. Charles ^I. 
and Frederick A. are also deceased. 

The intelligent interest which Jlr. Thorn takes 
in educational matters has led his neighliors to 
place him upon the School Board, and lioth he and 
his devoted wife, who has been his helpmate for 
nearly half a century, are greatly depended on to 
advance all movements for the social well-being of 
the community. ISIrs. Thorn was. when seven 
years old, an emigrant to Michigan, coming with 
her parents who were pioneers of what is now 
known as Pittsfield Township. Her parents reared 
three daughters to womanhood and two of them 
are still living, Mrs. Tliorn's sister being Jliranda, 
wife of Hor.ace H. Warren. It was in the old ter- 
ritoriiil days of 1831 that this f.amily came to Pitts- 
field Township, and they liotli lived until since tlie 
days of the Civil AVar. 

Mr. Thorn's political views have brought him 
into active co-operation with the Republican ])arty, 
and he and Mrs. Thorn are devoted members of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



345 



Episcopal Church at Ypsilanti, in which he occupies 
the office of Warden. These representative pion- 
eers whose useful lives and kindly offices of neigli- 
horliness have endeared them to their fellow-citi- 
zens, are now comfortably situated to pass their 
declininif days in peace and may well enjov the 
fruits of a life well spent. 



|-g,_^^| 



noR: 
) cil 



.ilizen of Ann Arbor, who has been prom- 
i\ .^ inently identified with numerous c>rganiza- 
ions iiere, was born at Union Springs, Cayuga 
County, N. Y., .lanuary 16. 1819. His father, An- 
thony Covert, w:is a son of Isaac Covert, whose 
life was spent at Long Branch, New Jersey, where 
at the age of fifty-five he died while absent 
I'nirn lioiiu', and liis dead body was found in the 

WO(.ds. 

The iKiiiic of the family was formerly Van Cou- 
\ei-. and the members of it who are found in this 
country are descended from three brothers who 
came from Holland and secured a patent from 
King .lames to certain lands near Monmouth, N. .1. 
The father of oiu' subject was drafted in the War 
of 1812, but experienced no service. His wife 
was Samantha Powers, and the.\' were married 
April 18, 18N. She was a native of Dutchess 
( 'ounty. where her father .Incob Powers >ias also 
boru.il) IT'.h;. Ilis wife, Holiy Tabor, tlie grand- 
iiKillifr of our sulijcct, died upon the anniversary 
of their wedding day, about sixty-two years after 
the celebration of their marriage. .V memorial at 
her death speaks of her as a woman of rare Chris- 
tian fortitude. Her husliand survived for about 
six years. 

The subject of this sketch is the third in a fam- 
ily of twelve children, all but one of whom grew 
to matuiity, and of these eight are now living, 
.bu'ob P., one of the older brothers, who died 
April 1). 189((, was a resident of Ann Arbor for 
forty years. Our subject was apprenticed when 
fourteen years old in the mercantile busine;>s. and 
served undei- a i^uaker master. He taught for one 



winter when he was sixteen, and took up the study 
of medicine with Dr. King, at Ledyard, for two 
winters, and with Dr. Hamilton, of Auburn. He 
was granted a license to practice l\y the State 
Board when only nineteen years of age, but he 
never practiced. He also took lectures from Dr. 
Bowles, a galvanic specialist. He ever felt a 
great reluctance to be brought into the presence of 
human suffering, and decided to drop the profes- 
sion of medicine. In the winter of 1839-40 
he undertook trading through the South and 
West, and taught for two winters subsequent to 
that. 

I'pon the 12tliof Novemlier. 1846, he was mar- 
ried to Ann L. Baldwin, daughter of Erastus Bald- 
win. To them were born two sons and one 
dangliter, the latter dying at the age of thirteen 
years. Alphonse, as "Fred Felton," is the man- 
ager of the Ida \'anCortland opera troupe, and 
Adolph is a naturalist and taxidermist. This son 
has taught Natural History at Albion College, and 
.as a naturalist he has made quite an extensive 
reputation. His writings upon his special themes 
are sought for, and in *he work "Nests and Kggs 
of American Birds" the Michigan notes are his. 
He is a contributor to the Field, Forest and 
Stream, Science JSfeivs, American Mctturalist, The 
Oologist, Naturalist and Fancier and Science Gossip. 
He has been honored by an admission as a corres- 
ponding member to the National Ornithological 
Society of Cambridge, Mass.. and to the Linnean 
Society of New York Cit\-. 

The father has been for twenty-seven years iden- 
tified with the order of Odd Fellows. After the 
death of his first wife Mr. Covert married, upon 
the 24th of May, 1881, Lucy A. (Robertson) Olds. 
the widow of Oliver L. Olds, of this city. She 
was born in Windham County, Vt., IMay 24, 1824. 
Her father was Archibald Robertson, whose father 
w.as liorn in Scotland. Her first marriage was with 
Calcli Thompson Holmes, when she was twenty- 
three years old, and after five years of wedded 
life he was lost at sea on his way home from Cali- 
fornia. She was subsequently married, to Mr. 
Olds, with whom she lived for twenty-one years. 
She is a prominent member of the order of the 
Daughters of Rebecca, and is servinsr as X. (i.. 



346 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



being one of the organizers of the lodge here. ^Ir. 
Covert is a member of the Grand Lodge and (i rand 
Encampment. 

The political views of Nurnian 15. Covert made 
him an active Democrat in his early years, but he 
cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison as a 
AVhig and ccmtinued in this line until the organi- 
zation of the Republican party, with which he 
voted until 1871, when he became a Greenliaeker, 
and was a staunch supportei- of tliat party during 
its active days, but lias now returned to the Re- 
publican party. He believes in exercising iiis 
own judgment in regard to political matters, and 
does not depend for his political opinions on party 
leaders. He is an admirer of Robert G. Ingersoll, 
and follows him in his views on religious matters. 
Franklin Olds, the foster son of Mrs. Covert l)y her 
previous marriage, is like a son to Mr. Covert, and 
their mutual devotion and warm-hearted co-opera- 
tion help in making a happy liome. 

The line marking out tlie city limits runs 
directly through the lioiise of Mr. Covert, wliere 
he has lived for forty-six years. He keeps a lierd 
of thorough lired .Jerseys, to wliich lie [lays 
especial attention. Mrs. Covert is a woman of re- 
markable character and of notable reputation. 
She believes in .assisting the weak and oppressed, 
and it is an incident wortli mentioning that .she 
and her husband have taken much interest in two 
bright neighbor boys, Charles and William Heinver- 
dinger. aged eight and nine respectively, who have 
learned to read in Englisli through tlie instrumen- 
tality of these kind friends. 



^S^ LI W. MOORH is the manager of the Ann 
[^ Arbor Agricultural C^ompany. located at 
/pl — <i } Ann Arbor. The present works of which 
he is manager was started in 1866 by Lewis JNIoore 
it Son. Here are manufactured many things in 
farm implements, among others wheat drills, rakes 
and feed cutters. It continued under the manage- 
iiient as at first organized until 1872. when it was 



made a stock company with tiie following officers 
at it.-- head: .]. Austin Scott, President; p]arl 
Knight, .Secretary; .7. W. Knight, Treasurer; and 
it continued under tliis leadership until 1884. 
When the comjiany became insolvent a receiver 
was appointed, and John Finegar liecame assignee 
and Kii AV. Moore was ap}iointed manager. They 
proceeded to settle up the business, and since that 
time our subject has continued in the position. He 
has kept the works running, paid off claims and 
has the Imsiness now i)laced on a substantial 
footing. 

Our sulijecl sells his manufactures and imple- 
ments directly to jobbers. He employs the greater 
pai't of the time from seventy-five to eighty men. 
Mr. Moore is a native of Pennsylvania, being born 
in Lancaster County, that State, November 26. 
1833. He is a son of Lewis Moore, who was also 
1)0111 in Lancaster County. The maiden name of our 
sul)jecfs mother was Sarah Chalfant. She, like her 
husband, was liorn in Lancaster County, Pa. Her 
father moved to Ypsilanti at an early day, and was 
one of the first to engage in the manufacture of farm 
machinery. He died in 1872, leaving lo his widow 
a small farm in Ypsilanti, in whicli she now lives. 
She is in liei- eiujity-seventh year and is still vig- 
orous and ill tlic full possession of her faculties. 
She is the niothei' of nine children, six girls and 
three boys, seven of whom are still living. 

Eli AV. Aloore spent his boyhood and school days 
in I^ancaster County. Pa., attending the common 
schools. AA'hen seventeen years of age he assisted 
his father in the work on the farm and in making 
wheat drills in a sm.all way. In 18.53 he moved to 
Ypsilanti and for twelve years ran a small mill, 
beginning the manufacture of implements in an 
unpretentious way. He removed to Ann Arbor, 
and in comiiany with his father built the Ann 
Ailior Auriculturai ^\'orks. and ran them as liefore 
staled. 

Our sulijei'l was married, in 18.59, to Miss Eliza- 
beth Moore, of Y))silanti. She was a daughter of 
Samuel I). Moore, Esci. Jlr. and INIrs. Moore have 
three sons — Wendel I)., who is a student in the 
University of Michigan; Walter, who is a student 
in the same institution, and Eli L. Our subject is 
a member of the (ioldeii Hule Cliapter of the Free 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL ALBUM. 



347 



and Accepted Masons. lie also belongs to Die 
Royal Arch Masons anl to the Conimandcr\' of the 
Knights Templar. lie is a Kcpiihlic.-ni in poli- 
tics and in religion a member of the I'nitariau 
Church. 



='**'5"{-'^i© •S-***' 



y>lLLIAM ,1AU\'IS. Many of the native 
sons of AVaslitenaw County are alieady 
J ^ making their mark as etticient citizens and 
successful farmers and men of business, and among 
these there is none more worthy of our men- 
tion than he whose name we have just given, who 
was born in Ypsilanti Township, December 20, 
1835. He is a son of William and .\nne (Wat- 
son) Jarvis, natives of England, who came to 
America in 1830, and soon after settled in Ypsi- 
lanti Township. The old homestead of William 
Jarvis is now a part of the city of Ypsilanti, but 
it was then an unbroken forest, which must be 
cleared of trees and put in a proper state of culti- 
vation. The usual hardships of pioneer life were 
undergone by this family, and they did good ser- 
vice in developing this section of the county. 
Four of their six children are now living, namely: 
(ieorge, C'harles, Alfred and William, all of wliom 
are still living near the old home. 

The father of onr subject passed from earth 
Septemiier 21,18,Hl,and his good wife, who sur- 
vives and makes her home with her son (ieorge. 
has now reached the venerable age of- eighty-three 
years, and is cherished by all who know her as one 
of the oldest and most worthy of tlie pioneer 
women of this township. A\'illiam .Tarvis was 
reared to manhood amid the scenes of i)ioiicer 
life, and has seen his share of hard work and tlie 
effort which was necessary at that early da\-. I Ic 
received his education in the log schoolhouses of 
the district and had few advantages whicii are now 
offered to the present generation, yet the good 
foundation which he there secured has served him 
well in life, and through general reading he has 
builded thereon a superstructure of intiliigence. 
A'ernelia II. Nichols was the maiden name of tlie 



lady who joined her fortunes with that of onr 
subject Decemlier 1.'), 1875. She was born .lanu- 
ary 2'2. 1848, in Pittstield Township, this county. 
Her |)arents, .lames and Amanda (Dolph) Nichols, 
were natives of New York, who emigrated to 
Washtenaw ( Ouiity during the '30s, and thus be- 
came early settlers of Pittsfield Township. They 
eventually removed in their later days to Ypsi- 
lanti, where they died, the mother in 1881, and 
the father a few years later. Three of their four 
children now survive, namely: A'almore C; ^'al- 
nette. wife of (ieorge Brown, of Ypsilanti; and 
:Mrs. .la r vis. 

It was in I.sik; that Mr. .larvis settled upon his 
present farm, and he has liecome a man of consid- 
erable importance in this section of the count}'. 
He is also a member of the Masonic order at Ypsi- 
lanti, and is a Democrat in his political views. 
His fine farm attests his thrift and industry and 
his success in life. Mrs. Jarvis is a member of the 
Eijiscopal Church and active in the Ladies' Aid 
.Society, and both of them are highly respected in 
society and enjoy the confidoice of the commu- 
nity. 



\^k^^l 



ELI O. SMITH, deceased. One of the two 
brothers residing in this immediate vicinity 
and whose interests were closely connected, 

our subject was deeply monrned at the time of his 
decease, for he was a man who, though his natural 
reserve of nature did not incline him to displays 
of tenderne.ss in his social or family relations, was 
nevertheless noted for his justness and the integ- 
rity of his honor in all his dealings. He was liorn 
in Ontaiio County, X. Y.. in 1810, and there he 
grew to mature years, having in his youth learned 
the carpenter's trade which he continued to follow 
for many years. 

Our snbject came to^Michigan and settled in this 
county about 1838, at which time he purchased a 
farm of one hundred and eighty acres of land, 
which is the present site of the town of Salem. On 
coming hither our subject became at once identified 
with the best intei'csts of the county and was soon 



348 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



known as an enterprising as well as an honest man. 
He married in the fall of 1838 Miss Isabella Farley 
and unto them were bom three children whose 
names are as follows: Mary L., who died at the age 
of twenty; Dwelle E. and Sarah C, the latter of 
whom died in infancy. Dwelle was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Rosa ^'auelt!l of this county. Decem- 
ber 20, 1871. 

Mrs. Smith was born in (iermantown. N. .).. and 
was one of a family of seven children who grew 
to mature years. They were Isaac, David, William. 
Archibald, Antony, Manning and Isabella. Man- 
ning is a lawyer residing in Gold Hill, Cal. Mrs. 
Smith's parents were Minor and Mary (Frazier) 
Farley, natives respectively of Germantown and 
Philadelphia. The Farleys were of Dutch and 
English ancestry and Mrs. Smith's mother was of 
Scotch ancestry. 

Eli (). Smith died February 19, 1889, a victim of 
cancer. He was a great sufferer for years before 
his death, but passed away with the comfort of 
Christian consolation. Out of four brothers who 
grew to mature years two were ministers of the 
Gospel and all were devoted members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 



1 AMBEKT A. BARNES, deceased. All people 
ill (@ of true sensibility and a just regard for the 
l i'— ^. memory of those who have departed this life 
cherish the details of the history of those whose 
careers have been marked by uprightness and truth 
and whose lives have been filled up with acts of 
usefulness. It is therefore with gratification that 
we present to our readers a sketch of ilr. Barnes 
whose life in this county has been such as to make 
his memory justly res))ected. 

This gentleman was born in Hartford, Coiiu., 
Feb. 5, 1827. and he was second in age in a family 
of eight children, all of whom lived througli the 
days of youth and became lieads of families. They 
were the children of Diamond and Ann { P.lakesley) 
Barnes whose lives were spent in Sduili |)iulinm. 



Greene County, N. Y. Mr. Barnes was united in 
marriage September 24, 1861, with Jane, daughter 
t>f Robert L. Geddes, who was one of the old time 
pioneers of ^Yashtenaw County. 'Sh: Barnes came 
ti> Michigan in 1858 or 18.i9. 

The children who- were born to this uniou are 
Alice and Robert G. The latter married Nettie E. 
daughter of Charles S. Smith, of Ypsilanti. The 
widow of our subject resides in the homestead at 
220 N. Huron Street, Ypsilanti. This property may 
well be called one of the finest homes in the city- 
The death of Mr. Barnes occurred June 30. 1887. 



/^, HARLES BRAUN. Among the families who 
,'l( have been residents of Washtenaw County 

^^^ ever since the old Teriitorial days, we are 
pleased to name the one represented l)y our suli- 
ject. John Biaun, his father, was born in Wur- 
temberg. Germauy. in 1816, and in his youth 
learned tiie brick and stone-mason's trade, emigra- 
ting to America in 1836, and settling in Ann Av- 
bor, where for a number of years he followed his 
trade. AVhile living in that city, he married Anna 
M. Eberhardt, like himself a native of Wurtem- 
berg. and in 1851 he took up his residence on a 
farm of eighty acres in Seio Township, for which 
he paid the sum of ^1,100. Eight years later he 
removed to a farm in Ann Arbor Township, where 
his death ensued in January 9, lH(i6. He had ac- 
cumulated a handsome property by industry and 
integrity. 

Our subject was born in tlie city of Ann Arbor, 
May 29. 1848. and is the fourth in his father's fam- 
ily, his brothers and sisters being: Frederick B.. 
burn October 20. 1840, in Ann Arbor Township: 
.lohanna, who died in infancy: John Michael, born 
August 16. 1843; Catherine. July 28, 1845; Charle*; 
Christian, born February 7. 1850; Christiana. No- 
vember 23. 1851; Henry, ;\[ay 20, 1854; Simeon. 
February 2. 1857. The last named died August 3. 
1887. Frederick and Christian are living near 
Ann Arlioron the Dixboro road, and John lives on 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



349 



an .-idjoiniuo farm: Catherine is Mrs. John Michael 
Stein; and Christina is Mrs. Fred Kirn, of .\nn 
.\rbor; Henry is on the old Doty farm; and Charles 
and Simeon had wori?ed the home farm together 
after Henry married and left the home some ten 
.\eais since, and continued tlui.s until a few months 
iiefore Simeon's death, which was the result of con- 
sumption, following inflammation of the lungs. 
This is the only case of consunii>tion in this circle, 
as it is not a family tendency. 

Charles Braun has two hundred and seven acres 
which is part of the tract whieli his father origin- 
ally located. In his youth he attended the Union 
school, and afterward took a course in the Ann 
Arhor Business College, and at twenty began to 
te;uli in the district school, which he continued for 
two winters. Upon the ITtliof .Tune. 1886, he was 
married in Scio Townsliip, to !Miss Mary D. An- 
dress. daugliter of .Tohn and Katharina Andress, 
the latter being still a resident of Scio Township. 
Tliis lady was born in that township, March 29, 
18(i3. and to her have been granted three children: 
Sylvia Maria Katharina. born INIarch 10. 1888; 
Carl William, June 27. 188!); and Simeon Walter, 
Jime 19, 1891. 

Like his father, our subject is a sturdy Demo- 
crat in his political views, and is now serving .as 
Township Treasurer. He is an earnest and efficient 
meml)er of the Lutheran Church, and a progressive ; 
farmer. He takes great interest in breeding Short- 
Horn cattle, keeping several registered animals .and 
breeding Poland-China hogs, besides marketing 
large ciops of wheat. I 



*^^f 



^^^ DDIS(J>- C. COLLINS. The fortunate pos- 
(jg/LJli sessor of three hundred and seventy acres 
of .as good land as there is in the beautiful 
township of Lyndon iind which is located 
on section 4. our suliject is a native of this town- 
ship and born on the farm of which he i> now the 
proprietor, July 2.o, 1837. He i.s a sou of Selah B. 
and Pcrmelia (Oreeu) Collins, natives of Wayne 
County. N. Y.. and New Jersey respectively. They 



were the first settlers in this vicinity, coming here 
in 1831 and locating on the farm which their son 
now owns. The father made this his home until 
1871. when he went into Allegan County and re- 
mained until September of 1890, when he returned 
to this place and here died in April, 1891. at the 
.age of seventy-eight years. Our su))ject's mother 
passed away in June 1883. 

When Mr. Collins, Sr., first settled at this place 
the entire country was heavily wooded. He built 
a small shanty by a small liody of water which was 
given the name of Collins Lake. The next spring 
he built a more substantial log house just south of 
the site where our subject now lives. Here the 
home was for a number years. He then sold it and 
purchiised other land in the township. As one of 
the pioneers he did his part in all work of organiz- 
ation and held various offices. He was Justice of 
the Peace for a number of 3-ears and was instru- 
mental in building roads, schoolhouses and churches 
and he and his wife are credited with having done 
more to improve and settle this portion of the 
country than any others of that day. 

At the time of the advent of our subject's father 
in the country the Indians were numerous and they 
frequently came to the house to trade honey for flour 
and other commodities. The wheat of which there 
was fortunately plentiful crops found no market 
nearer than Detroit .and the only way of conveying 
it thither was by ox-team. The journey required 
eight days and he started out with three yoke of 
oxen. The highest price on reaching the market 
that he could get for his wheat was fifty cents per 
bushel, and of this he took a small portion in trade 
and the balance in cash. Think of this all ye who 
groan over the burden of the protective tariff. Our 
subject's father was a Republican in politics and a 
M.ason and with his wife was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and one of the organ- 
izers of that body. Even at that early day he was 
a strong advocate of temperance. Our subject's 
father was a son of Alpheus and Betsy (Hall) Col- 
lins, natives of Wayne County, N. Y., who came 
West to Michigan and settled m Pittsfield Town- 
ship, this county in 1820, being theie among the 
earliest pioneers. He came to Lyndon Township, 
and continued to reside there until the time of his 



350 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



death. They were interred on tlie farm whereon 
our su)jject now live.s, his grandfather having made 
that his home for some years, lie was a soldier in 
tlie War of 1812, in wliich he was a Captain and 
was always called hy his title. A Republican in 
in politics, both he and his wife are Methodists in 
religion. They were the parents of nine children 
whose names are as follows: Relah B., Josiah II., 
Wellington H., Walter D. Isaac, William, .ludson, 
Sydney and Esther. AVellington was a home mis- 
sionary for the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was 
Walter being stationed at Texas among the Indians; 
Isaac was a missionary and preacher ,and William is a 
physician, now of Albion, this State; Judson went 
as a missionary to China and returning, died here; 
Sydney lives in Lydon Township and is a farmer. 

The original of our sketch is one of a family of 
ten children born to his parents, there having been 
four sons and six daughters. Six of these are now 
living, their names being as follows: Edwin ()., Ad- 
dison C, AVilliam H., Esther A., Cynthia C. and 
Betsey. He of whom we write was educated in 
this township and reared a farmer lad. He lived 
at home until twenty-seven years of age and on 
the 24th of December, 1864, was married to Miss 
Jane JlcCall, a native of AVaterloo, Jackson County, 
this State. She is a daughter of Alexander and 
Margaret (Mclntyre) McCall natives of Johnstown 
N. Y. Her father came West in 18;3 6, and settled 
at Waterloo where he engaged in farming and made 
that his home until his death which occurred in 
1867. His wife died in 1861). They were the par- 
ents of seven children, five of whom are now living 
Alexy Ann, Jane, Hugh A.. Margaret I. and Don- 
ald M. Mrs. Collins' paternal gr.andsire was Hugh 
Mclntyre, who married Jane Mc\'ean, l)oth natives 
of Scotland, and were mari-ied after they came to 
this country. They spent the greater portion of 
their lives in Johnstown, N. V. 

After his marriage our subject became agent foi 
John M. Green of Brighton. Livingston Counly, 
to manage a farm of five hundred acres. He wrw 
thus engaged for fourteen inimtlis and then pur- 
chased the old homestead where he now lives, his 
original purchase being one liundred and sixty acres 
to which he has added until it readied its present 
proportions. Mr. Collins now deals extensively in 



fine-wool .sheep and raises horses and cattle. lie 
has held the oftice of Roadmaster, whose duties 
he discharged most satisfactorily. Our subject is a 
Rejiublican in his political creed and one of the 
leading men both in thought .and example in this 
township. Mrs. Collins is a most estimable lady of 
high attainments. She was educated at Chelsea 
and was engaged for five years as a teacher. Both 
she and her husband are members of the Methodist 
Episcojial Church. 



^^'EORCiK WAIIR. a successful dealer in the 
book and stationery trade, who has his es- 
ii^J talilishment at Xo. 4, Xorth Main Street. 
Ann Arbor, where he succeeded to (ieorge Osius it 
Co., w.as born near Chelsea, this county, February 
18,1861. He is the son of Gottleili. and Agnes 
(Katz) Wahr. They were lioth n.atives of Germany, 
who emigrated to the I'nited States in 1835, in 
hopes of bettering their fortunes. The father was 
a man of moder.ate means, and his goodly family 
of two .sons and foin- daughters, taxed his resources 
to care for and educate them. Our subject is third 
in order of age in this household, and he received 
his school training in the city of Ann Arbor. 

He of whom we write began his mercantile ex- 
perience as clerk in the store of John Moore, a 
dealer in books and stationery, and there he re- 
mained for ten years, after which he fonned a part- 
nership with Mr. Osius under the firm name of 
( ieorge Osius & Co. Somewhat later he purchased his 
partner's interest in the concern, and now carries on 
the business at the same stand here. He has a fine 
stock f)f the latest and most popular works of the 
day, as well as the best known and favored lines 
of stationery. He also keeps a large .stock of wall 
jiajjcr .and sucli notions as are usuallj' to be found 
in a store of this kind, and he makes a si)ecialty of 
periodicals and books. ' 

On the loth of Septemlier, 1884, .Mr. "W'ahr w.as 
united in marriage with Miss Emma Stabler, daugh- 
ter of Fred Stabler, a prominent stockbroker of 
Ann Arbor, and to this couple has lieen born one 



'.-a^ 



£11 




Q^^V^ (W^€A-e.^^^ 



PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUIM. 



•)3 



m. 



little diiuglitei-, X;Uli;iiii'. Tliey are cinistMiit :it- 
tt'iidants of the Lutlioraii (liiucli. ami tlicir liiiiiu> 
on South Foui'th Avemip, possesses many eonifoits 
and is pleasantly situated. 



AY EVKHKTT. On the opposite page is 
presented a portrait of Mr. Everett who was 
born in Superior Township, Washtenaw 
County, October 2, 1827, and is the sou of 
John and Paulina (Phelps) Everett, who were na- 
tives of A'ermont and Massachusetts, in which lat- 
ter State they were married in 1818. Tiiey made 
their early home after marriage on the Holland 
Purchase in New York, where they remained until 
1820; at that date they came to Michigan and set- 
tled at Troj" Corners, Oakland County, where ]Mr. 
Everett purchased eighty acres of (Government 
land, all of it heavily timbei-ed. He taught school 
for some time, also clerked in Oakland County, 
and thus continued until 1827 when he sold out 
and removed to Superior Township, this county. 
He lived here for four years before removing to 
Ann Arbor, where he kept the old Washtenaw 
House until 1883. Tlie family then removed to 
.Sharon Town.ship where the father engaged in 
farming and dairying. He kept forty cows and 
furnished excellent Initter and cheese for the mar- 
ket. His death occurred in 1848, but his wife con- 
tinued in life until 1872 when she had already 
passed b\- three years the mile stone of fourscore. 
He held the oflice of Justice of the Peace under an 
appointment by Gov. Cass for Oakland that docu- 
ment bearing date .lime 4. 1827, and exhibiting- 
the Territorial seal. 

The father of our suliject tilled neaily all the olli- 
ces of the township successively and was one of the 
prominent men in Oakland County where he was 
looked upon as a leader among the Whigs. He was 
a Deacon and clerk in the Baptist Church and his 
good wife was united with him in this religious 
faith. His father, Di-. Jeremiah Everett, was a phy- 
sician and surgeon and of Welsh descent. John 
Kverett h.as five sons three of whom are now liv- 
ing, namely: our subjeet. John and Phelps. 



In the old log schoolliouse .lay Everett '-eceived 
his start in book lore, and he had ordinarily only 
about forty days' schooling each year Imt so well 
did he improve his time and opportunities that he 
lifted himself to teach school and taught for two 
winters in Sharon Township, receiving ¥I2 a 
month. lie commenced farming on a part of the 
tlie old homestead of one hundred and ten aere>. 
and thus continued until 1851 when he took a 
trip to California, remaining there until 18r)(). 
While there he engaged in both mining and farm- 
ing, conducting the latter upcm quite an exten- 
.si\'e scale and was also in the commission business, 
being successful in everything he undertook while 
in California, yet at the same time experiencing 
severe losses. After returning to his farm hero he 
took a trip the same year to Minnesota lint re- 
turned without investing in that section of the 
country. He also went later to Missouri, Kan.sas, 
iind the Dakotas, tlience to Philadelphia and 
Washington, D. C.,and spent one winter in Florida. 
Since those days of wandering he has settled down 
to a thorough cultivation of the farm and added 
to it by purchase until it amounted to two hun- 
dred and sixty acres in one body; it is now in 
the possession of the eldest son — Howard. 

Mr. Everett owned at one time five different 
farms; he has an orange grove at Eiistis, Fla., and 
pine lands in I'olk County, the same State, besides 
being a stoekliolder in the Arkansas City Bank in 
Kansas. He has served as .lustice of the Peace, and 
SuperviMir for four terms and has filled nearly all 
the township ottice-. The most eventful act of his 
life was his marriage in 18;')!) with Susan A. Smith, 
a native of Uochester, X. Y., and daughter of 
Henry and Wealthy (Fostei) Smith, natives of New 
York. ^Nlr. Smith was a inannfaeturer of wagons 
and cMrriages and came to Michigan in 1832. set- 
tling ill Washtenaw County and following his 
trade along with farming in Freedom Township. 

Mr. Smith removed to Ann .4rbor in 1853 and 
there carried on wagon-nirtking more extensivelv 
until death called him from life's work in 1855 when 
he was lifty-four years old. The mother lived un- 
til 187(5 and died at the age of seventy-six. They 
had seven children, three of whom are now living, 
namely: JIis. Everett; Irene. Mrs. Nordman; and 



354 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Charlotte, 3Irs. Tlioiiii).>i>n. William Smith, the fa- 
ther f>f Henry Smitii, \vn< liarn in 1769, and his 
wife liore the maiden name of PJKehe Seabry; she 
(lied in 1815, having beeonie tlie mother of fifteen 
ciiildren. Her husband \v;is a cairiage-niaker and 
died in New York City in I 8."i,"). Ilisseeond wife.who 
hore the maiden name of Cliarity (;k)ver, had no 
children and died in 186;'). The seven ehildren of our 
subject are as follows: Howard, who married Agues 
Alhn and has one daughter, Susa, lives on the old 
homestead; Carrie E., ^Irs. Coe, is the mother of 
two sons — Herbert and Harry; her husband is a 
physician and surgeon in Seattle. Wash. Henry 
married Flora Thompson, of Stockbridge. Mich., 
and is a dealer in hardware; Helen is the wife of 
Mr. Gay, cashier in the bank of Stockbridge, and 
they have two children — .lessie and Lindsley. .Jes- 
sie is at home; Irene, Mrs. Fenner, lives at Menom- 
inee. Mich.; Fred is in Seattle. To all of his chil- 
dren Mr. Everett has given a liberal education and 
all have taught with the exception of Fred. Their 
education has been mainl>- conducted at Kalamazoo, 
Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, and at business college 
in Detroit. Mr. Everett's political views bring 
him in sympathy with the Hepublican party and 
the family are members of the Baptist Chnrch. 



4^ 



-^ 



;RED EISKMAXN. 



A man seems livint 



^!lfo^ nearer to nature who adopts as his life call- 
/JL, ing some occupation tluit has been honored 

from the earliest time. Tiiat of the agriculturist 
and tliat of the weaver are of histoi'ic growth, and 
these our subject has lieen reared to know best, he 
himself having adopted t!ie fi)rmer. wjnie his 
father devoted himself to the latter, .loiin Kise- 
mann, the immediate |)rogenitor of our subject, 
was a native of Wurtemborg, (Jermany, and com- 
bined the callings of farming and that of a weaver. 
He was born in 1896, and was one of the (xerman 
invincibles that was destined to throw Xapoleon's 
troops into confusion. Our subject's mother was 
Eva (Brecht) Eisemann. also a native of AVurtem- 
ber<>-, where thev both lived and died. 



Fred Eisemann is one of four children born to 
his parents, two only living at the present time- 
Our subject was the eldest of his family, and was 
born Novemlier 11,1826, in AVurtemberg, where 
lie grew to manhood, receiving the advantages of a 
good education in his native tongue. While with 
his fathei- he learned the trade of a weaver and 
also worked in flax. I^ater he turned his attention 
to farming, and this promising to be more remu- 
nerative than the trade of weaA'ing, he determined 
to place him.self where he could best pursue it, and 
with that in view came to America in 1854. The 
first year here was spent in Pennsylvania, wheie 
he was engaged as a farmer. The following year 
he came to Michigan and worked for a time in 
Sharon Township, this county. 

In April, 1861, the original of our sketch mar- 
ried Barliara Bareis, a native of the same cit\- in 
(Germany as himself, and born in 18.35. She came 
to America in 1854 and settled in Scio Township, 
this county. ^\.fter marriage our subject settled 
upon a farm which he had purchased in Sliaron 
Township, on section lo. It was partially im- 
proved, and there the family lived for four years, 
at the expiration of which time they sold out and 
moved into Freedom Township, where he settled 
upon his present farm on sections 6 and 7. it being 
at the time partially improved. 

Mr. and Mrs. Eisemann have become the parentis 
of four children — Carrie, the eldest daughter, is 
now the wife of George Holzapel, and lives in 
Sharon Township. The other children are Christ, 
William and Mary, all of wliom are bright and 
interesting young people. Our subject is the 
owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, of 
which he has one hundred and twentj'-five acres 
under cultivation and bearing valuable improve- 
ments. Here he carries on mixed farming, and 
pays a good deal of attention to breeding Durham 
cattle. Since coming here he has cleared off ten 
acres himself. The farm is a model of careful agri- 
cultural oversight, our subject giving his whole at- 
tension to his farm. 

Mr. and Mrs. Eisemann are members of the Zion 
Lutheran Church, of which our subject has been a 
Trustee for twelve years past. That he has the 
confidence of the commuuitv is shoivu bv the fact 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



355 



of tiome of the most important ])Ositions haviiit; 
been entrusted to him. [''or ihc p.-ist fifteen year.s 
he ha.s been a member of tlie School Board for 
District No. 2. He was elected Highway C'oiuiiii>- 
sioner in 1889, and still holds that position. Our 
subject is an ardent believer in the superiority of 
the J^emocratic party. On coming to America the 
original of our sketch had little more than a con- 
fidence in his al)ilitv to acquire and has never 
received help from any source. He is a self- 
made man in ever\' respect, and owns his pres- 
ent prosperous condition to no individual except 
himself. 



^>-^^<^ 



•jl^, RANK LIN J. FLETCHEK. The gentleman 
jt=fei of whom we write owns a fine farm in Yp- 
/ll silauti Township, and his estate shows every 

indication of order and thrift. He is I'ccognized 
as a financier and enjoys the confidence of a busi- 
ness community. His birth took place ( )ctober 24, 
1836, in Rutland County, VI., and his father Ad - 
dison Fletcher, was a nati\ f of that State, and a 
son of a soldier in tiie War of 1812. His mother, 
Philinda Seaman, was also a native of the (ireen 
Mountain State. When a babe of one year, our 
subject came with his parents to Michigan, where 
they resided for a number of years in Wayne 
County. 

Addison Fletcher came to this county- in I8.')(!. 
and settled in Ypsilanti Townshi)), on section 2;'). 
He took a new and unbroken farm, and resided 
upon it for a number of years, and then removed 
to Ypsilanti. where he died December 12. 1886. 
His widow who is still liv'ing, resides in that city, 
and is highly esteemed as one of the well-known 
pioneers of the county. Of their eight children 
five are now living, namely: Franklin. Charles, 
Samuel, Philinda and Roland. The fatlier was a 
Republican in his political views, and a member of 
the Masonic order. Franklin Fletcher received his 
education in the disliict schools of Michigan, and 
later attended for a siiui-t time tlie rnion schools 
of Y])silanti. afterManl spending two terms in the 



Belleville High School, and in all of these institu- 
tions he .availed himself thoroughly of the oppor- 
tunities offered, and thus gained a practical and 
thorough education. 

Tlie first marriage of our subject occurred Feb- 
ruary 22, 1860, when he joined his life with that 
• if jMar\- Harris, daughter of Joseph and Mary 
( Wheeler) Harris, natives of Massachusetts, who 
iiad become early settlers in Augusta Township, this 
county. Three of the four children of this mar- 
riage are now living, namely: Azro, Franklin, Jr.. 
and Mamie (wife of Martin Dawson). After the 
death of Mrs. Mary Fletcher, our subject married 
Mrs. Jenna Gooding, the widow of William Good- 
ing, of York Township, and sister of Mrs. H. Stum- 
[)enliiisen (of whom more will be found upon an- 
other p.age of the Albcm). This marriage took 
place Fel>ruary 20, 1891. By her first marriiige this 
lady had two children, one of whom is living. 
I'Mihu ( iodding. 

Our subject settled upon tlie farm where he now 
lives ill 1864, and has made it his permanent home 
from that day to this. One hundred and twenty- 
six of his one hundred and sixty-six acres are well 
improved, and upon them will be found excellent 
buildings; and all this property is the direct re- 
sult of the labor and enterprise of this excellent 
gentleman and his valualile wife. He is a member 
of the Masonic order, belonging to Myrtle Lodge, 
No. 89, at Belleville, and is a Master Mason. He 
is also identified with the Grange, and in every re- 
lation of life lu' is an esteemed and worth 3^ citizen. 



w 



JOHN MESSNER. The prudent ways and 
careful methods of the Teutonic farmer are 
conspicuous in Freedom Township, where 
so many representatives of the German race 
liave settled, in order that they may enjoy broader 
opportunities in every direction. The gentleman 
whose name i.s at the head of this sketch, and who 
resides on section 6. is one of the many who.se 
efforts have made this locality so distinctly pro- 



356 



I'OR'rKAIT AND BKXiUAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ductive and beautiful, lie is^ the son of .lolin Mess- 
ner, a native of Baden, and who was a fai-mcr. Our 
subject's mother is Christina (\'oii:eln)ann) Messner, 
a native of Baden, where they were married. They 
fame to America in 1862. and settled in Freedom 
Township, on section 6. where our subject now re- 
sides. The father of the family died in 1K7'.>, at 
the asfe of seventy-two years. The mother still 
snrvives at the age of seventy-nine years. 

Of a family of six children, of whom three are 
now living, John Messner is the eldest. lie was 
liorn December If), 1837, in Baden, (Jermany. 
There he received a good education in his native 
tongue. lie was eighteen years of age when he 
came to America in 18.51. On first settling here 
Mr. JNIcssner worked out by the month as a farm 
Laborer, and was thus engaged for eleven years. 
After coming to America he learned the carjjeuter's 
trade and followed that business for sixteen years. 

July 4, 1863, he of whom we write deserted the 
state of single blessedness to unite his fate with 
that of Christina Keegris, a native of Wurtemberg, 
(iermany, and born in 1840. She came to Amer- 
ica in 1854, and settled in Ann Arbor, being four- 
teen ye,<irs of age on coming here. After marriage 
our subject and wife settled upon a farm of forty 
acres which he had pvu'chased in Sharon Townshii). 
The .same year they, liowever, sold out and bought 
a farm on section 7, remaining there for one year, 
and thence moving to Marshall, wiieie they re- 
mained for nine months. In 1865 our subject re- 
moved b.ack to Freedom Township, bought his 
present farm, and h.as ever since made this his home. 
He here owns one hundred and eighteen acres, of 
which ninet}' acres .are under the plow. 

Since coming to his piesent farm Mr. Jlessner 
has built the house in whicli his family now lives, 
also a line barn. He has ln-sides added many other 
valuable improvements, and carries on gener.al 
farming. He has a line orchard covering three 
acres of land, and is the owner of some graded 
stock. The original of fiur sketch and his wife 
are the parents of five children. The eldest, Louisa, 
is the wife of William Bahmiller, and lives in Syl- 
van Township; Henry, Emma, Charles and .Martha, 
are still at home. Mr. Messner has given his chil- 
dren good educational ad\;inta<;es. and thev are 



etpially familiar with English and Oermaii. He 
with the other members of hisfamily are comuiuni- 
(^ants at the Evangelical Chun-li. and oiii' subject 
is a Trustee of that party. He has be.-ii .-i nu»niber 
of the School Board for the past three terms, and 
is a believer in progressive methods. Politically a 
Democrat, he has always taken a lively interest in 
local politics. He is now serving upon the Board 
of Review, and h.as been Highway Commissioner 
for the past live yeans. He has been sent as a dele- 
gate to political conventions, and is intelligent in 
regard to national affairs. Besides attending to his 
farm at the present time, our subject is engaged in 
settling up an estate. Much credit is due Mr. .Mess- 
ner, for he began life for himself notonly without 
means, but was $28 in debt, and on beginning for 
himself worked for twenty shillings a month for a 
time, but .soon worked up to better remuneration. 
He has only himself to thank for the coinfort;il)le 
position he now occupies in life. 



^•i"i"i-i-^m& 



ILLIAM GOTTEN. The gentleman whose 
name is at the head of this sketch, although 
no longer of earth still holds a firm posi- 
tion in the memory and affection of his family 
and friends. His widow, Mrs. Caroline (Artz) 
Notten, still lives on the place which he made their 
home and which is located on section 19, Sylvan 
Township, and here successfully conducts the work 
of the farm. Our subject was born in New York 
City, May 23, 1839. He was a son of Elhert and 
Mary ( Kruse) Gotten, n.atives of England and (ier- 
many respectively, who met and married in New 
York City and came to Michigan in 1848, settling 
on the farm on which Mrs. Notten now lives. 
Thei-i' llie\' spent the remainder of their lives. 
They were kindly, true-hearted jieople whose 
jjrinciples were pure and strong. In church rela- 
tions they were connected with the Oerman Meth- 
odist Episc0])al Chui-ch, of which the father was 
a Trustee. 

William Notteii, as a boy. atteniled school in the 
vicinitv of his home and there absorbed what 



PORTRAir AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



357 



IcMniiiit;' wiis nceessarv t<i an iiili'llisi'oiit iii!inat;("- 
iiifii( (>r liusiness affairs. Ilo lived on tin- l.-iiiii 
and there learned the duties I'omuion to a Iniim i 
lad. In 18(52 lie enlisted in Company F, Tweii- 
tiethMiehiifaii Infantry, and served until the close 
of the war, being in many of the i)rincipal b.'ittles 
of the war, bearing out of the eonlliet an honor- 
able decoration as evidence of liLs ser^•ice in the 
shape of a wound which was rci'eived in a skir- 
mish, lie was shot in his left side and received a 
furlough when he returned to his home in iliclii- 
gan to recuperate and on the expiration of his fui- 
lough be was sent to .lackson where he was com- 
missioned Sergeant to drill raw recruits to be sent 
to the front. lie was in tlie .lackson ^Military 
Band and was a skilled musician. .Vn ardent up- 
holder of the I'nion, he was ahvays ready for duty. 

Serving out his tiilie imtil the close of the wai-. 
our suliject received an honoralile discharge at 
.lackson and then returned to his ['ather's liome 
where he was engaged in working the farm on 
shares until the death of his parents, when lie be- 
c<ime sole owner of the farm and gave it his entire 
attention until the time of his death, which oci'ur- 
red December .'50, ISSl. Mis decease was caused 
Viy intlammation of the liowels. an indirect result 
of disease which he had contracted in the wai', 
having never been strong after his service. 

Oiu- subject was married to Miss Caroline Artz, 
February "20, 18G7, at Ann Aibor. The. lady who 
still survived her husliand is a native of Waterloo, 
•lackson County, this State, and was born Septem- 
ber IK. 1841. She is a daughter of Casper and 
Christine (Garlach) Artz, who were natives of 
Wittenberg, (Germany, where they were also mar- 
ried. Mm. Notteu's father was a farmer by trade 
and a Iilacksmith. In I82(! having come to 
America he settled in ^ledina, Ohio, later remov- 
ing to Micliigan and located in Lima Township, 
whei-e he purcliase<l forty aci'cs of land. Some 
time later he iemove<l to Waterloo, .Iacks(ni 
County, where he owned three hundred and forty 
acres and was considered a well-to-do and success- 
ful farmer. He and his wife wei'e members of the 
(ierman Lutheran Chiu'ch and that was the train- 
ing his children received. He w.as a Trustee of 
that body and was a generous supporter of the 



same. He died in 1810, (he mothei- in 18(;7. Of 
the family of nine ehihiren born to the woi'th\- 
couple only three aie now living. They are 
Cliristina and FrederieU who married Malinda 
Leek and .Mrs. Notten. 

The union of our subject, and his wife was blest 
liy the advent of three children — Fivderick Will- 
iam, Klh.art .1. and Caroline :\[. Mr. Xotten was 
ixilitically a Democrat. He was awarded several 
l)Ositions in the township gift during his life time 
and did etlieient work as Highway Commissioner. 
For many years he was a member of the (ierman 
^lethodist Kpi.scopal Church and a Tru.stee of the 
same. Socially he kept alive his relations and ac- 
quaintances made during the war In'" his member- 
ship with the ( hand Ai-my of the Republic. He 
was besides a Mason and an Odd Fellow and one 
of the prominent and enterprising f.anners of this 
locality. He was the owner at the time of his 
death of three bundled and fifty acres of land, 
which is well improved and well-stocked. Mrs. 
Xotten is one of the workers of the township in 
which she lives. She is a member of the Ladies' 
Aid .Society and one in need or trouble never ap- 
peals in vain to her generous and sympathetic 
heart. Her sons are enterprising young men who 
are accomplished and interesting. They are fine 
musicians and belong to the F'rancisco Band of 
Jackson Count\'. The home circle has not yet 
been broken, excepting by the death of the pater- 
nal parent, (he children still remaining under the 
home roof. 



,/^ YUrs KAYMOXl). Among tho.se who 
ill "'l came to Michigan in the old Territorial 
^^g<' days w-e are gratified to be able to mention 
the family represented by the name just given. It 
was a lia))py day for the L'aymonds when they first 
thought of transferring their interests to this State 
for here our subject found not only prosperity but 
health, at a time when he had every reason to 
belie\e that his life wiuild not be much further 
proloiiiied. 



358 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



David Raymond, the father of our subjeft and 
a New York farmer, married Polly Ualley. also a 
native of that State, and there in Yates County 
they set up their household as pioneers. David 
Raymond was a son of Samuel Raymond, a soldier 
in the Revolutionary War and a captain therein. 
The parent*; of our subject came to Michigan in 
833 and settled upon an unbroken farm in Free- 
dom TcwnshiiJ. Here they made tlieir home with 
a son, James (t., now a resident of Sharon Town- 
ship, and a man eighty-five years old, and after 
coming to this State the parents lived a retired 
life, the mother passing away in 1856 at the age 
of seventy-eight, and the father surviving until 
1859, when he had reached the venerable age of 
ninety-one years. 

David Raymond was a \k>y during the Revolu- 
tionary War and lie ever enjoyed entertaining 
his descendants and friends by relating incidents 
of those turbulent times. He and his good wife, 
who was an earnest and conscientious member of 
the Baptist Church, had ten children and three of 
that flock are now living, namely: James O., now 
eiglity-tive years old; our subject, aged eighty-three 
and Nancy Jane, aged seventy-seven, and they all 
live in this neighl)orhood and are thus enabled to 
enjo\- eacli other's society in their advanced years 
and to exchange pleasant reminiscences of their 
early experiences. 

Yates County. N. Y., was the native home of 
our subject and May 14, 1808, his natal day. In 
that home he grew to manliood, finding few oppor- 
tunities for acquiring a thorough education, as he 
began earning his own living before he reached 
the age of fifteen. He served a three years" ap- 
prenticeship to carriage and coacii building in 
Penn Yan and then did journeyman work at liis 
trade until he lost his health. He had given up 
all hope of recovery and thought that he would 
follow his parents and brother to the W'est and 
secure some land which might bo of benefit to his 
wife and children when he must leave them. 

W'hen Mr. Raymond came to Michigan, in 1836, 
he located upon one hundred and sixty acres on 
sections 4 and 9, Sharon Township,and he afterward 
added forty more. Near them were a few neigh- 
bors and the pleasant social life and outdoor exer- 



ercise wliich is implied in pioneer living soon told 
ujion his physical condition and he began to im- 
jjrove in health. He had married in New York, 
June 2(1. 1833, his bride being Lorena Dickinson, a 
daugliter of Amos Dickinson, who came to Michi- 
gan in 1839 and made his home in Livingston 
County, until death. This daughter of his was 
born in Steuben County, N. Y'., April 29, 1813. 

The children of Cyrus and Lorena Raymond 
were five in number and four still survive. Mah- 
lon H. married Jennie Gould and for thirty years 
has been a practicing physician at Grass Lake, 
Mich. He took his education at Albion College 
and at the State University and has one child — 
Nina — wife of Edward Croman, and the mother 
of one child; Melvin D. married Melisa Parks and 
he also lives in (irass Lake and is the father of 
three children, two of whom have themselves es- 
tablislied families of their own. Morton L. mar- 
ried Gei'aldine Crafts and lives upon this farm 
with his wife and one child; Harriet Elizabeth, 
wife of Francis Smith, is the mother of two chil- 
dren and lives in this township. The mother of 
this household p.issed to her heavenly reward Oc- 
tober 12, 1883, after rounding out a full half cen- 
tury of faithful married life. 

Oiu- subject lived on section 4, of this townshij). 
for twenty-seven years and having well improved 
it disposed of it to Cyrenus Rhodes. Twenty- 
eight years ago he removed to the farm where he 
now lives and upon it found substantial improve- 
ments to which lie has added, rebuilding the resi- 
dence, besides erecting three barns, a .scale house, a 
shee]i liarn and corn and hog houses. He has 
cleared twenty .acres of this property and now has 
one hundred and seventy-seven acres in the home 
farm liesides twenty-four acres of timber land in 
Sylvan Townshii). He has now retired from active 
work and his son jMorton carries on the farm. 

Educational matters have ever engaged the at- 
tention «{ Mr. R.aymond and he was for some 
years a member of the School Board. To his chil- 
dren he gave the liest opportunities for schooling 
which he could command and has set before them 
throughout life an example worthy of following, 
as a strictly temperate man in his habits. His good 
wife was an earnest Christian and a memlier of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



359 



Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he fol- 
lowed the path trod by many from the AVhig party 
into the Republican rankis, and as to otticial posi- 
tion he was twice Supervisor of Sharon Township, 
lias been Assessor and was elected Justice of the 
Peace, but declined to serve. His eldest son, Dr. 
Mahlon H. Raymond, was Surgeon of the Twenty- 
sixth Michigan Infantry for three years. The 
story of the life of this pioneer is a record of suc- 
cessful contests with poverty and hardships, and the 
acquisition of a handsome property by jueans of 
honest industry. 



' SAAC S. SAVERY. Among the war heroes of 
Salem Township, none probably had more in- 
liS teresting adventures or served more bravely 
than he of whom we now write. He located in 
this county in 1855, making his first home in Web- 
ster Township. He was born in Oneida County, 
>.'. Y., in 1844, and came with his parents, George 
('. and Rachel L. (Porter) .Savery to this State. 
when he was only eleven years old. The father 
was a native of Massachusetts, and the mother a 
New Yorker by birth. Both his father and his 
grandfather, Isaac P., were sea captains who sailed 
the coasts of the Eastern States, and the grandfa- 
ther was a ship owner, having possession of scvtial 
vessels, but flnally came West and settled in Illi- 
nois, where he died. 

In August, 1862, our subject enlisted in Com- 
pany D, Twentieth Michigan Infantry, and did 
good service for three years. He went from Jack- 
son and joined the army after the second battle of 
Bull Run. The regiment was in the following en- 
gagements: Fredericksliurg. \'a.. Horseshoe Bend, 
Ky., Vicksbnrg and J.ackson, Miss., Blue Springs, 
Campbell Station and Knoxville, Tenn., the AVild- 
erness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg, 
\'a., (at which latter place several of the company 
wei-e captured), and Weldon Railroad, Ream's Sta- 
sion. Poplar Springs Courthouse, Ilatchies Run. 
and again at Petersburg. 

In these latter battles, except Petersburg, our 



subject took no part, as he had been crippled by 
having his right leg shattered between the knee 
and ankle. ,\s he was obliged to remain in Ins 
tent, he received permission to visit home, but as 
soon as po.ssible returned, and upon reaching his 
regiment, he took pait very soon in his last en- 
counter. Upon the 25tli of March, 1865, his was 
the first regiment that entered the city of Peters- 
burg, and it was put upon provost guard, and thus 
remained until the surrender of Lee's army. 

Mr. Savery returned home after receiving his 
honorable discharge, and resumed the avocations 
of pe.ace. In 1868 he was united in marriage with 
Tryphena C. Rogers, and in the fall of 1869 he re- 
moved to Hanover County, A'a., where he remained 
for ten years, and tiiere followed farming and lum- 
liering. In 1879 he returned to Washtenaw County, 
Mich., and three years later jiurehased eighty acres 
on section 28. Mr. and Mrs. Savery liave five chil- 
dren, namely: Effle .1., W. Ira. ^■est^ P., R.iy L. 
and Coda J., all of wiioni are still at liome and are 
helping their father in carrying on i;is beautiful 
farm. 

When Mr. Savery was in front of l\'tersl)urg. 
the brigade to Avliich he belonged, was in the heat 
of the action. At one time a shell exploded in the 
midst of a group of eight members of his company 
and he was knocked senseless, but upon recovery he 
found that he wiis entirely uninjured, and had 
only been rendered insensiblf by tin- shock of tlu- 
( (inciission. 



/ ♦^*= 



ILLIAM F. LODllOLZ. The proprietor 
of the fine establishment which is devoted 
to the growing wholesale and I'etail gro- 
cery trade, is he whose name appears above. His 
|)lace of business is located at Nos. 4 and 6 Broad- 
way in the city of Ann Arbor, and here is con- 
ducted one of the most prosperous branches of 
business that the city boasts. Jlr. Lodiiolz is a 
native of this State having been born in Ypsilanti, 
this countv. Julv 6. 1859. He is the oldest son of 



36(1 



PORTRAIT ANJ) ISKKIRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



(xoellieb and Ileiuicli (Sijathelf) J^odliolz. Itutli of 
whom were (4ermaii citizeus until 1851 when tlie.\ 
emigrated to America and located in Ann Arbor. 

On settlino; in this city our subject's father went 
into the bakery busiue.*;* in which he continued u[j 
to the time of hi.* death, having learned his trad<f 
in (xermany. lie died when in his forty-seven I ii 
year, in 1877: his wife, wlio survives him still and 
who is now in lier sixiv-second year, makes her 
home in Ann Arbor. She is the mother of two 
children — Henry, who is a cleik in his lirother's 
store and William F. 

The original of our sketch was reared in this 
city and here attended the city schools after fini.sh- 
ing which he became a student at the Union High 
School and there pursued his coiu-se until the death 
of his father when he assumed charge of the l>ak- 
ery, putting in at the same time a stock of grocer- 
ies and in this way l)ecame conversant with the 
busines.s. Thus initiated into the different liranches 
of the c(mimercial and managerial workings of the 
trade our subject lias continued to enlarge it until 
it reached its present state of prosjierity and suc- 
cess. Here may always be found the liest of staple 
articles used in the culinary art. He also carries a 
large stock of ttoui- and feed in connecti<m with his 
other trade 

Socially .Mr. Lodholz is a member of Ann 
Arbor Lodge, No. 295, I. O. O. V. He makes his 
home with his mother not yet having made up his 
mind to quit the bachelor ranks. Jlrs. Ludholz 
.still occupies the old homestead which is situated 
most pleasantl^• in a very pleasing portion of the 
city. She is a devoted member of the Lutheran 
(lunch as was also her husliand. 



v?-;^\ TKl'HEN O. 11.V1)LP:Y. Washtenaw County 
^^^ is an Eden of line farms and agricultural 
llj/^j tracts. There are comparatively few ver\' 
^ small tracts and each farmer tries to outdo 

his neighbor in the cultivati<m and improvement 
of his land. ( )f Hie iiiaii\ line atliaclive places 



none are more conspicuous than that belonging to 
our .-ubject and located on section 11. Lyndon 
Town.ship. He has here two hundred and fift}- 
acres of land, upon which he hsis lived since April. 
1 H:')5. 

Mr. Hadley made his advent into the .State in 
IHiii) and lived in Lenawee County for two years, 
tlience removing into this county and settling in 
tiie township of Dexter, where he cleared off a 
farm and resided for fourteen years, thence re- 
moving to this place. .Since coming here he has 
erected all the buildings which now distinguish it 
as l)eing one of the best-improved places of ilic 
locality. He has made of it a finely-producti\e 
farm, having paid a great deal of attention to the 
raising of fine fruits of all varieties. 

Our subject is a native of Carroll Township. 
Chautauijua County, N. Y., and was born Decem- 
ber 6, 1831. He is a son of Stephen and Betsey E. 
(Owen) Hadley, natives of the Empire State. Until 
coming AVest in 1839, the original of our sket<-h 
was engaged in the lumber business and was quite 
successful. His mother having died in 1832. 
Stephen, our subject's father, made his home with 
him of whom we write until his death, which oc- 
ciiired in 1869. On coming to Michigan the 
father and son drove through from New '^'oik 
with a hor.se team. They were on the road for 
two weeks and the journey was a memorable one 
to the young man. 

Stejihen Hadk\v, Sr., was born in 1781. He was 
tlie father of a family of ten children, six of wlumi 
are now living. They are Lydia, who is now ilrs. 
Letts; Orange E.; Sarah, who is Mi-s. Pulsifer; 
Johanna, who is a !Mrs. Jlorrison; our subject and 
.lane, who is ilr.«. Wilsey. Those dead are Laura, 
Ph<vbe R., Sylva and Elsie. They were all mar- 
ried liut Laura; Sylva was Mrs. Harrison Daniels; 
Elsie was Mrs. Peter Evans; Phtebe R. was Jlrs. 
Calvin Goodspeed. The elder Mr. Hadlej^ was in 
his younger days a Democrat and later in life a 
Republican. He served as a soldier in the War of 
1812. In church ])reference he was a Methodist. 

Our subject received his education in New- 
York and was lirought up with a more intimate 
knowledge of the lumber trade than of anything 
else This he followed until became West and lie 



I^'^^^^.tl.xv, 




FREDRICK VALENTINE, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



363 



assures us tliat he never saw a >^\k':u- of wheat 
gTOwiiio: until he came to Michigan. Since coraino- 
here lie has been engaged in farming and his 
efforts in an agrieultural line have been very siic- 
cpssful. Mis marriage took place March 23, l.si."i, 
at wliicli time he was united to Miss Calista Bar- 
ringer of New York. The lady was horn in W'il- 
liamstown, Oswego County, in 182!) and was a 
daughter of Henry and Abigail (Huff) Bari-inger. 
natives of the Em])ire State. Tlie former was a 
farmei', and came to Michigan at an early day. 
i.atcr he removed to Illinois, thence to Wisconsin, 
wliere both he and his wife died. They were 
members of the Methodist Episcojial Church and 
the fatiier was a soldierin tlie Warof lH12,ha\'ing' 
been all liis life an ardent Democr.-il. lie was the 
fatlier of ten children, eiglit of whoiji are now 
living. 

The children of which Mrs. IbnUey is <ine. are 
William, Susan, Peter K., Truman. Mrs. IlaiUey. 
Ann, Kliz;ilieth and (ieorge. Our subject is the 
father of eleven children. They are Lyman K , 
Charles II., Laura K., Lewis S., Emma. Angelme 
E.. Harrison. Delia, .Sylva, Lydia A. and Justin J. 
The eldest son married Sarah Bull and has three 
children — Polina, Cora and Emmet. Charles mar- 
ried Nettie Clark; they have five children — I'.eit. 
Ros.a, Orral, Ina and Bee. Laura is Mrs. Kiitland 
and is the mother of two daughter.? — Agues and 
^linnie. Lewis S. married Delia Ward and is the 
father of seven children — Stephen, Josephine, .lay, 
Fred, Harrison, Calista and Sylva. Emma is now 
^Irs. Kennie and is the mother of two daughters 
— (Iracc and Mabel; Angeline is ^Irs. Backus and 
has two children — Mary and Seward: Harrison 
married Flora Goodwin and is the father of two 
children — Roy and Ray; Delia is Mrs. Blakely and 
h.Hs one son, Ira; Sylva is Mrs. Boice and has two 
children — Wirt R. and Myrtie; Lydia A. is ^Irs. 
Boice and has two children — Calista and Floyd S.; 
.lustine J. is still at home. 

In his political predeliction our subject is a 
Democrat and his first vote was cast for James K. 
Polk and he has been true to his party ever since. 
For fifteen years he has been Highway Commis- 
sioner of the township. Mrs. Hadley is a member 
of the l\Iethodist Episcopal Cliiuch. Our subject 



has evei- taken an active part in all matters per- 
taining to tlie welfare of the locality and State 
and is an enterprising business man of broad and 
intelligent views. 



PT^REDERICK VALENTINE. This gentle- 
w man, whose residence is in Manchester, 
owns a fine farm in the township, which 
attests by its thrift and productiveness the excel- 
lent qualities of thoroughness and system which 
mark the owner. He was born in Saratoga County, 
X. Y.. June IH. 1810. his father, Frederick Valen- 
tine. Iieing a native of New York, whose home was 
near the great Eastern Metropolis through his 
early years. He was the son of a Revolutionary 
soldier whose memory is warmly cherished liy the 
family. 

The father of our subject came to Michigan in 
I8;33, and took up (iovernment land in Manchester 
Township, but did not have a long residence here, 
as he passed from earth in 1834. His worthy wife, 
Mary Galispee Valentine, was a native of Ireland 
and who came to America after she reached wo- 
manhood, and spent s(nne years in New York with 
her parents. She died before the emigration of 
the family to the West, being a sufferer by a 
cancer and passing away in the year 1832. In 
their family of five daughters and three sons our 
suliject is the sixth in order of age, and the only 
one now living. He was twenty-three years of 
age when he came to Michigan with his father, and 
had received his schooling in his native place. 

The marriage of our subject with Abigail Bivens 
of New York took place in November, 1836, and 
resulted in the birth of three daughters and one 
son. namely: George. Augusta, deceased; Irene, 
Mr.s. (Jardner Green, and Celia, who married 
Spencer M. Case and is now deceased. The mother 
of these children died in August, 1857, and Mr. 
Valentine took as his second wife Camilla D. 
(Nichols) Mcsher who was the widow of J. H. 
^loshei-. .She was born in Onondaga County. 
N. Y., JuiU' 18. 1824. and married oni- snliject. 



364 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



October 13, 1859. She had come to Michigan with 
her parents in 1836 wlien ;>he was a young girl of 
thirteen, and her marriage with Mr. Mosher brought 
her one son and one daughter, both of whom have 
died, the son, Charles T., l)eing drowned at the 
age of six years and seven montlis, and the daugh- 
ter. Mary S., living to reach the age of twenty- 
seven. 

The subject of tliis sketch located ujjon a farm 
which his father had talcen up, and improved the 
place by building and cultivation, remaining there 
until 1876. when he then sold tiiat property and 
bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on 
section 16. where he lived for about fifty years. 
I'pon the r2th of June, 1885, he retired from 
business and moved into the village of Manchester, 
leaving his son to manage the farm. From the 
organization of the Republican party he has been 
devoted to its interests and before that time he 
was a Whig. Both he and his good wife are act- 
ive members in the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
A lithographic portrait of Mr. ^'alentine is pre- 
sented in connection with this liiographical sketch. 






_,,.! NDREW MUEHLIG. Among the gentle- 
{ Wfu \\ men prominent in business in Ann Arbor 
(i there is perhaps no one more worthy of 
mention than the junior member of Ihe 
firm of Schuh & Muehlig, dealers in hardware, 
stoves, tinware, mantels, grates and tiling, who 
also carry on plumbing and gas-fltting. Our sub- 
ject is a native of this city where he began his 
earthly career November 21, 1860. He is a son of 
Floria and Christina Muehlig. natives of Witten- 
berg, who emigrated to the United States and here 
landed in New York City. The father was a cab- 
inet-maker and upon his arrival in Ann Arbor he 
nndertook this line of business, manufacturing and 
dealing in furniture, and thus continuing up to the 
time of his death in 1865, being then in liis sixtieth 
year. His wife died in 1883 in her sixty-first year. 
Three sons and one daughter constituted the 
household of which our subject was a part, and 



three of that number are still living. Our subject 
IS the youngest of that number and he grew up in 
Ann Arbor, attending the pulilic schools and the 
High School, and began his mercantile career as a 
clerk in the store of .1. F. Schuh, where he remained 
for eighteen months. He then went to Chicago 
where he entered the employ of Hibbard, Spencer. 
Bartlett Ai Co., as clerk in their wholesale hardware 
establishment. Aftei' remaining with them for one 
year he returned to Michigan and at Reed City 
embarked in the hardware business, purchasing the 
stock of .1. L. Rayfuse, taking as his ijartncr Theo- 
dore Huss, under the firm name of Muehlig it lluss. 
This connection lasted for eighteen nidiilhs when 
I)Oth partners sold out their business. 

Returning to Ann Arbor !Mr. Muehlig l)ought an 
interest with J. F. Schuh, thus forming the partner- 
ship in which he now is engaged. They are carry- 
ing on a large business and handle a fine stock of 
goods, occupying all the floors of three stores, and 
making a great success of their work as they are 
both practical business men. 

In 1886 our subject married Miss .Julia Call, of 
Ann Arbor, daughter of John Gall. Esq., and to 
them have been born one son. The political views 
of our subject are in harmony with the declarations 
of the Democratic party and he is a stanch adherent 
to its policy and principles. Both he and his wife 
are earnest members of the Zion Lutheran Church, 
and their pleasant home at No. 61 S. Main Street 
is the aliode of domestic happiness and the center 
(if true li(>s|iitality. 



■4^^!t^_=!fl 



20HMAX L. COXKLIN is a progressive 
I farmer residing on section 17, Bridgewater 
Township. He was born in Cayuga County, 
N. v.. in Sempronius Township. Ajjril 22. 1808. 
Ili> father w.as Abram Conklin. a native of Eniii;- 
Island, who was there reared and thence reino\ed 
to the main land in 1798. He fought in the War 
of 1812 and .acquitted himself with great credit in 
his military career, lie was a son of ('apt. Conklin 
who was Cai)t!iin in the Revolutionary War. Our 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



365 



subject's mother was in her maiden daj^s a Miss 
Thankful Dennis, a native of New York, who there 
met and married her husband. Tliey became the 
parents of three ehildr'in, two sons and one daugli- 
ter. all of vvhcmi grew to manliood and woman- 
li 1. 

-Mr. (onklin is the second son of the famil\ and 
wlien only six years of age he sustained the in-ep- 
arable l)ereavement of the loss of his mother and 
soon afterward went to live with a Mr. .Joseph 
Arnold, where lie remained until eighteen years 
old. 1 le then went to work on a farm and receivi'd 
the magnificent sum of ^l.oi) for six months' work. 
Having eariy been well trained in the common 
branches of school work he applied for a position 
as teacher in the district schools of Dennis Town- 
ship, Cayuga County. N. Y. He taught for one 
winter here and the following six months was en- 
g.aged at the carpenter's trade, spending the 
winters in teaching in the same township. The 
following winter, ambitious to secure high edu- 
cational advantages for himself, he entered the 
academy at Auburn and in 1828 divided his time 
equall.y between teaching and work at the car- 
jjenter's trade. During the years of 1829-30 he 
taught school in Sempronius Township. March 
30, 1831, our subject was married to Miss Lucy 
Lazell, a native of New York. 

The year following our subject's marriage he 
and his bride came to Michigan and proceeding 
directly to Bridgewater Township, this county, 
took up one hundred and sixty acres of land (in 
section 27. The place was thickly timbered, and 
.sawing down the logs he erected a log house, 18x20 
feet in dimensions. There they remained for 
thirteen }ears, during which they greatly improved 
the place. They then removed to section 10, 
where our subject lived for two years. He sold 
that place in 1847 and purchased a farm where he 
now lives. At the time of his entrance upon this 
place there was only a log house and barn break- 
ing the monotony of one hundred and sixty acres. 
This he has improved with a first-class grade of 
buildings, has cultivated, cleared and planted until 
it IS a model of agricultural neatness and beauty. 

Our subject and his wife have been the parents of 
eight children, six sons and two daughters, whose 



names are as follows: Day, Lee, Otilia, Dorr, Rha, 
]\Lirk, Sarahphine and Lloyd. The first named 
was liorn in Bridgewater Township, .January 25, 
1833 and claims the distinction of being the first 
white boy born in the township. He married 
September 22, 1857 Sarah E. Woodruff, who died, 
and he was a .second time married in 1875, his 
choice being .Julia M. Branian, a native of New 
York who was born August 29, 1839. They have 
two daughters — Clara and Edna and all reside 
with our subject. Lee resides in Hillsdale County 
and is a farmer by occupation; Otilia died at the 
age of forty years; Dorr is a farmer in Hillsdale 
County; Rha resides in Manchester and is a broom- 
maker by trade; ]Mark died at the age of forty 
years; Sarahphine is the wife (jf A. Runyan and 
resides in .Jackson County and IJoyd lives in 
I..enawee County, having a farm in Franklin 
Township. 

It is plain that :\Ir. Conklin is the oldest settler. 
now living in the townsliiii of IJridgewater. They 
celebrated their sixtieth wedding anuiver.sary, 
March 30, 1891. They have eighteen grandchil- 
dren and four great-grandchildren. Our subject 
has always stood high in the respect of the com- 
munity. For ten years he was Supervisor of his 
township and Township Clerk for one year, serv- 
ing as School Inspector for about thirty years. He 
is a Democrat in his political affiliation and h.as 
done good work for his party. Mrs. Conklin was 
born in Cayuga Count.y, N. Y.. April 11, 1809, and 
was there reared. She was the tenth m order of 
birth of twelve children born to Cal\-in and Sarah 
(Stocking) Lazell. 



-^=^m>-^^-^^ 



ELSON SUTHERLAND. The gentleman 
who is at the present time responsible to 
^, the corporation of Ann Arbor for the con- 
dition of its streets, is he whose name is at the 
head of this sketch. He was bora in I'lttsfield 
Township, five and a half miles south of Ann 
Arbor, August 18, 1840. He is a son of Langford 
and I>ydia (McMichael) Sutherland, both natives of 



366 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



New York and born near Peun Yan. Our subjett's 
parents came to AVashtenaw County in 1H32 and 
settled wliei'e their son Nelson was born. They 
there secured a farm of four hundred and twenty 
acres and made that their home until June, ltS64. 

Tlie decease of our subject's father occurred 
.Tune. 1864 when at the age of sixty-two years; 
his widow is still living at the old home place and 
is now eighty-five years of age and in spite of her 
advanced years has retained her faculties tv a re- 
markable degree and is an interesting as well as a 
well-preseived woman. Our suliject is one of a 
family of eight children, he being the sixth in 
order of birth. He lived at home until reaching 
his majority and then engaged in farming on a 
tract of eighty acres remaining there until lie was 
twenty-five years of .age, during which lime he 
had added to his original purchase until it com- 
prised two hundred and ten acres. This he sold 
out before removing to tiie town. 

On becoming a citizen of Ann Arbor. Nelson 
Sutherland was appointed Deputy Sheriff of the 
county under Welch & Wallace and has served 
in that capacity for eleven years. Five years 
ago he was elected to the City Council and 
two years later he was made Street Commissioner 
by popular vote and has served three years in that 
capacity, giving it during that time his const'tnt 
and personal attention. 

Mr. Sutherland was married Novemlier 22, IHIK! 
to Mi.ss Gabie Drake, a daughter of L. ('. and 
Sarah (Rorabacher) Dr.ake. of (rreen (Jak, Living- 
ston County. Mr.s. Sutherland was horn near 
Pickney, Livingston County, April 10. 1«4(). She 
is a well-educated and accomplished lady and after 
completing her course she engaged in leaching. 
Our subject and his wife have two children. They 
are Frank and Ada A., who is now Mrs. L. P. .locelyn 
of this city; Frank is a dental student in the 
University. The daughter is a graduate from the 
High .School. Although a Democrat in his politi- 
cal predelictions. oin- subject was elected to the 
Council by the Repuljlican vote, which speaks 
volumes for his popularity as a man and the esti- 
mation in which he is held by society in general. 
He and his wife are associated in their church rela- 
tions with the Congregational denomination. He- 



sides the pleasant home in which he and his family 
reside Mr. Sutherland lias other residence property 
and fine business property. His place of residence 
is located on South Division street. 



m 



l/OllN C. CHALMKRS. There is probably 
no family in Pittsticid Township, lictter 
known for intelligence and character than 
than that which is represented by the name 
just given. Our subject was born in New York 
City, .lanuary 9, 1843, being the son of Dr. 
Thomas C. and Margaret (McGowen) Chalmers, 
the former being a native of S.aratoga County, and 
the mother, of Schenectady. The father was in 
active practice as a physician in New York City 
.and was a graduate of I'nion College, and this son 
spent his early life in that city, remaining there 
until the death of his father, which occurred in 
1864. .\fter attending the city schools he gradu- 
.ated from the ITniversity of New York in the CLass 
of '64, and Ijegan life for himself upon a farm in 
^lontgomery County. 

The marriage of our subject. March 28, 1867. 
united him with Agnes, daughter of .\lexander 
(lilchrist of AVest Charleston, Saratoga County. 
Mr. (iilchrist w.as a farmer and had five children. 
Agnes. Marion, Anna, James .and Alexander, and 
all except Mrs. Chalmers are at home. Our sub- 
ject lost his wife by death in 1875 at Amsterdam, 
N. Y., and was again married in 1876 to (Tcrtrude 
Plisby, daughter of Marcus W. Plisby, a farmer in 
^Montgomery County. To her have been granted 
thr.e children, Marcus, George and Mrginia, all of 
whom are living. 

Mr. Chalmers followed farming and stock-rais 
ing in New York until he came to .Michig.an in 
February. 1890, and located on .section 2, of Pitts- 
field Township, wheie he has a fine farm of one 
hundred acres in high state of cultivation. He 
makes a specialty of Guernsey cattle and keeps 
about twelve head and is a member of the associa- 
tifm. He claims that this breed of cattle is more 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



367 



valuable than the Jerseys as the cows give more 
and richer milk, lie says that he has the first of 
this kind of stock that was ever brought to this 
country. He handles :i tine grade of horses and 
has one horse of especially good blood whicli he 
brought with hini from New York. He keeps only 
the common breeds of sheep. 

In political mattei's Mr. C'liahners atliliates with 
the Republican party and for ten years he was Jus- 
tice of the Peace in New York. He has also been 
Township Auditor and Highway Commissioner, 
but since coming to Michigan lias dropped politics 
but still maintains his interest in educational mat- 
ters. Our subject does not belong to any church 
organizations but his family are all Presbyterians. 



,-^^ HAUNCEY KNAPP, deceased. It is with 
(li -- great interest that the biographer takes \\\) 
~\^^' the pen to give the life narrative of a man 
who was for so many years identified with the his- 
tory of the best movements of Washtenaw Count}-. 
Mr. Knapp was born in Connecticut, at Barkhan- 
sted, April G. 17117. and was one in a family of 
eight children, their parents being Abijah and 
Nancy (Phelps) Knaj)!), both natives of Connecti- 
cut. Tlie mother's father lived to the exticme 
age of one hundred and seven years in Connecti- 
cut, and was greatly revered by his posterity. 

The l)rothers and sisters of our sultject are as 
follows: rhelps. who spei t his days in Philadel- 
phia and left two sons; Nancy, who became Mrs. 
Bushnell. and located in Illinois: Barnabas, who 
married Lois Hyde, of Steuben, N. Y.; Dr. Lomau, 
who spent his life in Illinois and Texas, and died 
at Dallas; Zelotus. who married Ann Baker, and 
spent his life near Tiffin, Ohio, and (iarden (irove, 
Iowa, where he died, leaving a family of seven or 
eight children; Edward, who married MissE. Hyde 
and still resides in New York. 

lie (if whom we write was united in m;irringe 
with Julia A., daughter of Kitchell liell. (if Sodu.--. 
Wayne County, N. Y. They came t(i Ann Arbor 
about the yenr IH29, having previously resided for 



a short time in Wayne County, Mich., and after- 
ward in Vpsilanti. He established in Ann Arbor 
the first woolen factory there and carried it on for 
alidut tvvd years. after which he sold out to Brown, 
Kelldgg A- Co., and then established a similar mill 
in Ypsil.'uiti, which he successfully operated until 
the year 1X40. after which he devoted himself to 
farming for the remainder of his life. He was a 
man of more than ordinary education and ability, 
and held the School Inspectorship throughout most 
of his residence in this county. 

The family of our subject consisted of four 
children: Louisa, now Mrs. Benjamin S.Voorhees; 
Alfred J., who married Jane Crosby in 1861, and 
has a family of three children; Hiram S., who 
married Kate C. Fifley and has one child, Edwin 
F.; and Kittle E., wife of S. Frank Augustus, of 
AVashtenaw County, by whom she has one child, 
.Vlfred J. 

Alfred J. Knap|i. the eldest son (if oiu- subject, 
purchased the farm where he now resides about 
the year 1855, and he now has in his possession a 
splendid farm of one hundred and fifty acres. He 
is a Republican in his political views, and has con- 
sistently voted with that party. His wife is a 
daughter of Joseph and .Sarah (Johnston) Crosby, 
both of whom were natives of Dumfrees, Scot- 
land, where they grew to maturity, were married 
and together came to Orleans County. N. Y. .where 
four children were boru to them: David, Jane 
Ahira and Ezra H. They came to W^ayne County 
in 1844, and here four more children came to bless 
their home — John J.. Esther .1.. James D. and Ed- 
ward W.. all (if whdiii are still li\ing. .Air. and 
Mrs. Crosby died in Wayne County, this State, 
in 18."i(;. (if typlidid fever, passing away within 
eleven days of each other. On both sides of the 
family they were of good old-fashioned Presbyte- 
rian stock, and as a farmer he was remarkable for 
his success. 

The widow of our subject was the daughter of 
Kitchell and Susan (Smith) Bell, and the father of 
this Sus.an Smith was a Major who served in the 
Hev(jlutionary War. The family is proud to re- 
late that he was one of tho.se heroes who endured 
privations and sufferings with AYashington during 
that terrible winter at \'allev Forge. Thev have 



;5()« 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBllNI. 



also leeiiids showing thai he assisted in the cap- 
Ime of the Hessians on that memorable Christmas 
Eve. and tliat he served through all that period of 
con diet and was present at the final surrender of 
Coruwallis at Yorktown. 



i^4^[ 



ATIIAXlELSCHMIl). Among the active 
husiuess men of the village of Manchester 
ii^ is this gentleman who is a native of Wash- 
tenaw* County, his birth having taken place June 
20, 1 854. in the city of Ann Arbor. His father is 
the Rev. Frederick Schraid, a sketch of whom will 
be found with that given of anothei' son, Frederick 
Schmid, one of the residents of Ann Arbor. The 
jiarents had a true patriarchal family of twelve, 
and five brothers and four sisters are still living. 

Our subject was educated in the High School at 
Ann .\rl)or and came to JIanchester as manager 
for the firm of Mack & Schmid, who were h.andling 
dry goods and notions here in 1876. After a 
while he bought out the firm and has since con- 
tinued alone in this business. His marriage Oc- 
tober IK. 1K78 brought to his home a faithful 
helpmate in the jterson of .loannah Lehn, who was 
born in Manchester Township, Washtenaw County, 
December 19, 1857. She is the second daughter 
of Conrad and Magdalene (Hagg) Lehn. Her 
fathi'r. a native of (Terniauj', came to Manchester 
in 1854 and iiere Imilt five stores and six dwelling 
iiouses. He was one of the first (ierman business 
men in the village and was in the hardware and 
grocery business. He for many years filled the 
o!Kce of Treasurer and was a member of the Village 
Council. He died Februarj' 20, 18!>0, having been 
bei'caved of his faithful wife July 3, 1873. 

Mr. Schmid is one of the leading business men 
in Manclicstcr, is a member of the Milage Council, 
and has lieen for four years a School Inspector. 
He was village Treasurer fqr eight years and is 
l'resi(ient pro-tem of the village Board. He is a 
charter member of the Ancient Order of Cnited 
Wtirknien, and one of the founders of the Work- 
men's Aid Society, of which he is President and is 



also a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. 
As Mr. Schmid has so wide an acquaintance among 
the foreign born populatic«n he has a large business 
for them a-s a Notary Public, and in negotiating 
exchanges, and is also in the insurance business. 
He was Treaiiurer for the State Association of the 
German Workman 's Aid Society for two years and 
in that capacity handles some ^90,000 yearly. 

Besides the lines of business already indicated. 
Mr. Schmid is in the wool business, buying and 
.selling, and is also in the manufacturing business 
with Mr. Kimble, manufacturing *he iron clad 
stone boat which was patented by Mr. W. Kimble 
in 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Schmid are the iwrents of 
one sou and four daugiiters, namely: .\lma, Louise, 
Nathaniel, Marie and Amanda and the domestic 
happiness found in this home makes a bright spot, 
and is ))romotive of nuu-li true sociabilitv. 



^^^KORGE NELSON. M. 1). This professional 
If ^-^ gentleman, whose skill in tlie healing art is 

^^jgi well-known not only through Salem Town- 
ship, but also throughout Washtenaw County, was 
born in Romulus, N. Y., in the year 1807. lie re- 
mained in his native town until he attained his 
majority and read medicine in New Y'ork. making 
a specialty of the study of botany and l)otanical 
remedies. It was after the year 1831 tliat Dr. 
Nelson came to Washtenaw County and since then 
he has made it his home. He has followed farm- 
ing in connection with his practice, and in the 
latter department of his efforts he has been very 
successful. He has gained a wide reputation for 
what he has accomplished, especially in difiicult 
cases, as he has Ciirried through to success some 
cases which are considered almost miraculous. 

In 1831 Dr. Nelson married ^liss ;\Larv Cogswell, 
and unto Ihem were born six children who reached 
the age of maturity, namely: Darwin, Lucinda, 
Elijah, Mary. George and Harvey. Darwin resides 
in Salem Township, and has a family of four chil- 
dren. Lucinda became the wife of John Slyfield, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



369 



and has four children, while Elijah, who married ;i 
diHiffliter of Charles Hamilton, has five children, 
and Mary, Mrs. Kphraim Parkridsje is the nKjtlier 
of two. (ieorge married Alice Waters, and they 
have two children, and Harvey with his wife Allic 
Rnndall and their three children reside on the old 
homestead. 

Dr. Nelson was bereaved of liis faithful and lie- 
loved wife, November 8, 1889, as she then passed 
awa\' in her seventy-seventh year. He, as well as 
ills 2oo<l wife, has long been a member of the Free 
Will ]5a])tist Church and their children have been 
brought up in the faith of the Christian religion. 

In his political views the Doctor is a Rcpuiilican 
and he was a warm supporter of the Government 
during the Civil War, and he came from good old 
patriotic stock, liis grandfather liaving been one of 
tlie heroes in the Revolutionary War while his 
father took part in the War of 1812. As far as he 
knows, both his father, James Nelson, and his 
mother, Rosanna Post, were natives of New Jersey. 
Mr. Nelson owns a handsome farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres, all of which is in a fine condition 
and well cultivated, besides two hundred and 
eiiJ^htv acres elsewlicre in ^Michigan and Indiana. 



^^ *=-^ J 






^lpj\iENJAMIN S VOORIIKK.S. Wu now |iie. 
L>( sent to nui- readers a member of a wcll- 
(^ I known family, whose reputation for 
^^ character and ability lias been conceded for 
generations. This gentleman, who resides in Su- 
perior Township, was born in Seneca County, NY., 
and came with his parents, James N. and Martha 
(Swartout) Voorhees, to the West. The father 
was born in New Jersey, June 29, 1796. and the 
mother had her birth in 1799, and is suppo.sed liy 
her son to have been a native, as he is hini.self of 
Seneca County. 

The children of tliis woitliy fainil\- were .lolni. 
Ralph S., Jane, Benjamin S.^ Stephen, William S., 
Lois and Peter. All have passed away except 
our subject and his two sisters. .lane and F-ois. 



Ralph was born in 1 819. and married Elizabeth 
. Lee; .I.Mnc. wlio was lioiu in 1821, married Truman 
Rowley, and they had a family as follows: Albert 
.1.. who married Frankie Whipple; Mary, who is 
the wife of (iilbert Whipple; James E., who married 
M.aggie Mcl.ndes; Alva A., who took to wife Net- 
tie .\gnew; INIartha; William, who married ^larv 
.■Mills; and Frederick .1. 

Stephen Voorhees, one of the brothers of our 
subject mari-ied Margaret Miller, by whom he had 
one .son, George, who married Mary E. Bucklin; 
and William married Elizabeth Lee, by whom he 
had two children, Frank C. and William S. Lois 
is the wife of Andrew J. Leetch,and Peter died un- 
married. 

Hcnjamin S. \'oorhees came, .as did all his broth- 
ers and sisters, with their parents to Washtenaw 
County, and located in Superior Township, in 
183(1. There they all grew up together to years 
of maturity and usefulness. On the 9th of Feb- 
ruary, 1847, our subject was united in marriage 
with Miss Annis, daughter of Elsquire C. Jlerrill. 
and to them came five bright and beautiful chil- 
dren, three of whom have lived to years of matu- 
rity. George W. married Mary Markell, and 
makes his home in Detroit; Mary A. is now the 
wife of William H. Deubel; Elsie S. is Mrs. Wesley 
J. Fair. Both Charles S. and Ida K. died when 
quite young. 

The first Mrs. Voorhees was called from the 
responsibilities of a wife and mother in 1864, 
and our subject was afterward married to Harriet 
L. Lawrence. One son has resulted from this 
union — Frederick, who wiis born July 18, 1869. 
Mr. A'oorhees has .alwjiys followed farming and 
stock-raising, and owns a handsome estate near 
Vjisilanti. The Voorhees family have been old- 
line Whigs, and since the organization of the Re- 
publican jiarty have voted that ticket. 

The jiresent Mrs. ^'oorhees is a daughter of 
Chauncy Knapp, a native of Granville, Mass., who 
grew to manhood in Connecticut. He was born 
.Vjiril 6, 1798, and was the fifth in age in a family 
of eight who reached mature years. In 1830 Mr. 
Knapi) located in Washtenaw County, where he 
reared his family and lived throughout his earthly 
existence. In her \-outh this lady married James 



370 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



K. Lawrence, who died in March, 1861, leaving a 
wife and a son, Willard ]-"., wlio is now a resident 
of Saginaw, Midi., wlieie lie pursues the calling of 
a cabinet-maker. 



j^ < ^ 



¥^^: MANUEL (ILIMI'S. Bridgewater Town- 
fcsT ship is m the southern tier in Washtenaw 
- *' — ■< Count}', and is charmingly watered by 
lakes and rivers, and boasts most excellent high- 
ways. Section 28 is south of the central portion 
of the township, and is advantageously located, 
lieing divided by one of the best highways of the 
region. One of the liest farms owned here is that 
of Emanuel Glimps, who resides on section 28. 
Here our subject has lived, or in the immediate 
vicinity, since 1838, and is thoroughly acquainted 
with all the conditions of country and climate, 
and how to treat the soil so that it will produce 
most [irolificaily. 

Mr. filimps was born in New .lersey. Septemlier 
H. I«l-'i. He is the .son of Benjamin tilimps, a 
native of the same State and a fai'iiier by occupa- 
tion. He was married in his native State to Mi.ss 
Margaret "Wintield and moved to Ontaiio County, 
X. Y., settling in Phelps Township, where he died 
in 1833. Our subject's mother died September 20, 
1849. They were the parents of six children, five 
sons and one daughter, all of whom grew to man- 
hood and womanhood. Only two are now living 
— our sul)ject and a brother, Edward, who lives 
with him. 

Mr. Olimjis is the third son and third cliild of 
the family. He was eight years old when he went 
to New York State with his parents, and remained 
there until 1838, when he came to Michigan, pro- 
ceeding at once to Washtenaw County, where he 
has ever since resided. He located at that time 
on section 23, there being a log house on the 
l)lace. iMghteen acres had been partially improved, 
the farm comprising eighty acres. Tliis our sub- 
ject cleared and improved, remaining upon it until 
IHSl. He still owns the farm from which he 
moved to the one where he now resides. 



Mr. Glimps took a partner of his sorrows and 
joys January 7, 1847, at which time he was mar- 
ried to Elinor Jacobs, a native of New York, and 
there born Eeliruary 14, 1824. She is the first 
daughter and child of AVilliam and .Margaret 
(Waiuwright) Jacobs, and was reared in the Em- 
pire State until ten ^-ears of age, when she came 
to the W(.»lverine State with her grandparents in 
1833. They settled in Bridgewater Townshij). 
this county. Our subject's brother above men- 
tioned was born in Orange Count}', N. Y., August 
20. 181',i. The two have lived together and 
farmed the same property togetiier all their lives. 
The place whereon our subject resides comprises 
ninety acres. Tiiey also own eighty acres apiece 
on section 23, and the farm on section 2(!. They 
are not actively employed in farming at the pres- 
ent lime, leaving it to tenants to a great extent. 
Politically Emanuel (Uinips is a Prohibitionist, as 
is also his brotiier. 



ERNEST A. Ci.AHK, .M. 1). Among the 
prominent men of the learned professions 
in Aun Arbor, and eminently useful in the 

alleviation of distress, is he whose name we now 
give. He w.as born in the Province of Ontario, 
Canada, December 21, 186.5, and was the eldest 
son of Dr. G. F. Clark, an eminent physician of 
Canada, who practiced for many yeai-s in Ontario, 
and who is still actively engaged in the pursuit of 
liis professi(m. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Abigail A. Burtcli. She was a native of 
j Canada. Ernest pas.sed his boyiiood in his native 
county, attending the common schools, and after- 
ward entered the Collegiate Iu.stitute, after which 
he spent three \ears at Woodstock College, and 
tlien returned home to ai^sist his father in the 
ofHce and to read medicine. 

The young man matriculated in the College of 
Piiysicians and .Surgeons at Toronto, Canada, and 
in the fall of 1H87 lie came to Ann Arbor and en- 
tered the Homeoiiatiiic Department of the liiiver- 






. /LcZ^<:^-.^r>T^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL ALBUM. 



373 



sity of Michigan, where he took lii.s diploma in 
1890. lie then became Assistant to the chair of 
Operating Ophthalmology, and in the following 
year became Assistant to the chair of Surgery. 

Since coming to Ann Arbor, the l^octor has car- 
ried on a general practice, and in addition to that 
holds a position as City Physician. He is a mem-' 
ber of the American Institute of Homeopathy and 
tlic State Homeopathic Medical Society. No man 
is more thoroughly liked in Ann ^Vrbor for his 
geniality and kindly demeanor toward all with 
whom he comes in contact. 






RTHUH .lAMES KITSON is a contractor 
(@^l | and builder residing at No. 21 tieddes Ave- 
A* uuc, in the beautiful college town of Ann 
Arbor. Mr. Kitson has a fine home whicli 
is furnished most attractively and is presided over 
with grace and dignity by his wife, who is a woman 
of great intelligence and more than ordinary abil- 
ity. Our subject was born April 24, 186(1, at 
(^reenwich, a suburb of London. His parents were 
James and Sarah (Hart) Kitson, both natives of the 
Mother Country, the former of Yorkshire and the 
latter of Somersetshire. In June, 1881, James 
Kitson came to thiscountry and lived a retired life 
in the city of Ann Arbor, liis decease taking place 
January 20, 1890, at the age of seventy-one. He 
was a master bricklaj'er, but did a general con- 
ti-acting business. Mr. Kitson came to this coun- 
try in order to settle an estate of a brothei- Charles 
who had died here. Our subject's mother died in 
her native land. 

Arthur .Tames Kitson is the seventh in onler of 
birth of a family of twelve children, seven of whom 
are now living and six of them being residentj* of 
Ann Arbor. The children that still survive are 
Mary Ann, Emma, Walter, Fred, Louisa S. J.. Ar- 
thur J., Ernest Cliarles and Henry All)ert. While 
still in liis native land our subject served an ap- 
prenticeship for five years and three montlis with 
.lobu Pound. ;i Iiuildcr. of Lee, Kent County, walk- 



ing from two and a half to three miles daily to and 
from his work. 

In 18,S2 our subject came to this country and 
worked for four yeais as a journeyman and since 
that time lie has been contracting, taking all kinds 
of contract work. At the present time he employs 
about foiu'teen men. He has built four houses 
where he now lives. Our subject's marriage took 
place June 23, 1885, at which tiin'e he was united 
to Miss Elizabeth Mummery, of Ann Arbor. The 
lad\^ is a daughter of Arthur Joseph Mummery, 
wlio is Janitor of the High School. She was born 
in Kent County, England, December 24, 1864. 
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kit- 
son — Arthur James, who was born April 19, 1886; 
and Walter Rowland, Marcli 24,1890. Both our 
subject and his wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, he being a Trustee of tlie same, 
and also Superintendent of the Mission Sand.ay- 
scliool. In 1891 Mr. Kitson w.as elected Alderman 
from his ward by the Republican party and is at 
the present time serving his first j'ear. He is a 
member of tlie committee on i)roviding lights for 
the city and also for attending to sidewalks and 
special license. 

In coiuiection with tiiis brief sketch may be found 
a portrait of 'Mr. Kitson. 



^^ 



ATTIIKW SEEtiKH. A prominent (4er- 
man-American citizen and a farmer who 
4 keeps abreast witli tiie prcigress of the 
times, and one who has made a record for 
himself in the annals of his adopted country by 
running the chances of war, is lie whose name is 
at the head of our sketch. He is a native of Wit- 
tenberg, Germany, and was tiiere born February 
11, 18.T9. His parents, Matthew and Christine 
Seeger, lived in Germany for many years and 
were there farmers. Our s'ubject's immediate pro- 
genitor came to America in 18,52, crossing the 
ocean on a sailing vessel, the voyage taking fifty- 
two days. After landing in New York he came 
direct to Ann .Vrborand soon after located in Lodi 



374 



[PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Townshi]), wliere he lived for fourteen years. He 
then made liis home with our subject until his 
death, which occurred alioul 1)^72. at tlie age of 
sixty-two years. 

]\[r. Seeger was reared under the influences of the 
Lutlieran Ch\n-ch, tliat being the chosen creed of 
liis parents. His motlier died September 9. 1879. 
Siie was born in 181.5. Four children blessed the 
union of onr subject's parents, of these two are 
living at the present time. Matthew was thirteen 
years of age when his parents came to America. 
He attended school in Germany seven years piior 
to coming to this country and lie afterward at- 
tended the district schools in this county to some 
extent, l)ut soon began the serious laisiness of 
making a living. 

.Vt fourteen years of age our suljject began 
working out as a farm laborer, the first year re- 
ceiving for his services ¥3 per month, the second 
year %4 and so on until he had received ¥800 in 
wages. In the time nf <mv country's peril, and 
when the Southern and b)wer Middle States 
wei-e reeking with blood, he enlisted in the 
army in 18()2. joining the Twentieth Jlichigan 
Infantry, Company D, and under Col. Williams. 
He was at the battle of Horse Shoe Bend with Mor- 
gan, he was also a participant in the siege of "\^icks- 
burg and .laekson, then went to Kentucky and 
from that point to East Tennessee. In the siege 
of Knoxville he experienced the dread of threat- 
ening famine, his regiment being short of rations 
for some time. lie served through the East Ten- 
nessee engagement during the winter of 1863-64. 
In the spring of 1864 he retiu-ned to Annapolis, 
Md., and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, 
and was in all the engagements until the end of 
the war. He fought at Petersburg, Spottsylvania. 
Cold Harbor and in minor engagements. iMay 12. 
1864, he was wounded in tlie engagement at 
Spottsylvania by a shot in llic breast. Again on 
.Inly 30, of the same year he was shot in the 
siioulder at the engagement before Petersljurg. He 
was Corporal in his regiment and at the end of his 
seryice received 'ui honorable discharge. 

In 1866 Mr. Seeger purchased the farm upon which 
lie at present resides and has since made this his 
home. Tliat same \ear he was united in marriage 



to Miss Christina Hack, who was born in (Jermany 
•and came to this country with her parents in 1863. 
Ten children have been bom to this interesting 
couple. They are. Katie. .John G., JIarv L., Emma 
L., Louisa I)., .lohn F.. Matthew, (icorge W.. 
Robert E. and Ann C. Of these two are deceased. 
A Kcpulilican in his political attiliations, our sub- 
ject h.as been recognized in the township as a 
worker. For two years he served as Town.ship 
Treasurer and for five 3^ears acted as Supervisor 
and for nearly fifteen years has been a School Di- 
rector. He belongs to the Grand .\rmy of the 
Republic and to tiie Arbeiter Society. Both he 
and his wife are member- of the Lutheran Church. 
Mr. Seeger is tlic owner of ninety-seven acres of 
land which he devotes to general farming. He 
here raises all kinds of cereals and also breeds 
stock. He started out in life with no means, 
whatever, .and besides bringing u|) lionorably and 
well a large family of diildren has acquired a 
comfortable property. He is one t)f the directors 
of the German Washtenaw Mutual Insurance 
Company, of this county. 



m>^^<^^-^- 



SA M. D.\RLIX(t. Almost seventy years 
have pas.sed over tlie head of the gentle- 
> man who is the subject of this sketch, 
leaving their impress in the whitening 
hair and lined features, but while the outer gar- 
ment of the soul shows the wear and tear of years, 
the man himself is richer and nobler and grander 
for the experiences that each successive decade has 
brought him. He is one of the old settlers in Au- 
gusta Township and is now the owner of a pleasant 
home on section 12. He i> a iintivc of Oneida 
County, N. Y., and was born Marcli 10. IM24. His 
parents were Ephraim and Ann (JIarkliam) Darl- 
ing, both natives of ?Cew England. Ephraim Darl- 
ing wa-s a soldier in the AVar of 1812. and our 
suliject is proud of the fact that his ancestoi'S were 
loyal citizens of the Union, who utt'end their lives 
in its time of need. 

When Asa Darling was ten years old he was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



375 



taken by his parents to Chautauqua County, N.Y.. 
.-ind in tlie fall of 1835. when the country was still 
alnio.<t unbroken by the travel of man. the family 
emijjralefl to Jlichigan and located in what is now 
known as Augusta Township, Washtenaw County. 
In coming West they took passage on a steamboat at 
Dunkirk and landed in Detroit. From that point 
they came to Augusta Township by team and our 
subject, who was but a little fellow, made the 
southward trip by Walker's line most of the way. 
His fatiier was in his eighty-ninth year when he 
died. The mother too lived to be of a good old 
age. 

Of the children born to our subject's parents 
only two survive — Charles and Asa M. The 
latter has spent his whole life, with the excep- 
tion of the first few 3'ears, in this immedi- 
ate vicinity, and knows what it is to get up by 
dawn, to make his ax ring in the clear frosty air fall 
and winter on the trees of the forest, clearing little 
by little the tract that seemed very large with all 
the work before them. Indeed there is little of 
pioneer work that he has not experienced, both in 
its hardships, disadvantages and pleasures. He re- 
ceived his education principally in a log school- 
house in Augusta Township, where he learned the 
Rule of Three, studied Lindley Murray's grammar 
and Webster's spelling book. He has, however, 
l>rotited in later years by the wide-spread sjiirit of 
journalism and is a well-posted and intelligent 
man. 

In early manhood the original of our sketch was 
united in marriage to Mary W. Allen, who bore 
him three children, whose names are Elijah, Bert 
and Phcebe, the last of whom is deceased. On the 
death of ]\Iary Darling our subject married for his 
second wife Rebecca .Johnson, who bore him three 
children, one of whom is living — Mary, the wife of 
Wilson Beebe. On the death of Rebecca Darling 
our subject married his present wife, their nuptials 
being solemnized December 29, 1869. She was be- 
fore marriage Miss Naomi Bordine, a daughter of 
.\Ilen and Lavina Bordine, early settlers in Au- 
gusta Township. By this marriage he had six 
cliildren. of wiioni three are living at the present 
time. They are Dora E.. Cora A. and Ethel N. 

Mr. Darling M-ltU'd on liis present farm in 184s 



and since that time it has been his home. He here 
has a fine tract of three hundred and fifty acres, 
upon which is a well-built and substantial brick 
residence that is attractive in outward ai)pearanco 
and interior finish and furnishing. His othei- 
l>uildings are also capacious and substantial and 
Ills entire farm bears first-elass improvements. Oui' 
subject has not been exempt from any of the hard- 
ships of life, but he has never allowed disappoint- 
ment or discouragement to cloud his hopes of 
ultimate success. Naturally of a sanguine and 
optimistic temperament, this has doubtless been a 
great factor in his success in life. Although fre- 
(inently solicited to become a nominee to local 
otticial positions, our subject h.as invariably de- 
clined. He is a Republican in politics and has 
been iiroud of the growth of the party in his 
county and .State. A member of the (irange. he 
has served as Treasui-er for years. Now in his ad- 
vancing years Mr. Darling is enjoying the fruits of 
his early efforts, and surrounded by his children 
and friends finds that life is after all worth living. 
^Ir. Darling's broad acres and beautiful rural 
home is one of the most pleasing features of Au- 
gusta Township and is a standing monument to his 
industry, thrift and perseverance. He is an excel- 
lent financier having good judgment and fine busi- 
ness ability as his property attests. His many 
friends wish for him long years of enjoyment of 
the comforts which are iiis. 



\f[ACt)B A. roLllEMl'S. engaged in the liv- 
! ery business, is a man who, coming in con- 

dj tact with every class of peoi)le, from ^■ar- 
I ' ious portions of the State and country, 
adapts him.self readil_y and easily to all men and is 
genial and well liked, so much so that his ])lace of 
business has become one of the most popular in the 
city. He has on hand a fine .stock of hacks ami 
bus.ses and does a general livery business in the 
city of Ann Arbor. He of whom sve write is a native 
of Somerset Countv, N. .1.. and was born. October 



376 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



16, 1811. "When four years of age he was taken 
by his parents to Broome County, N. V., his 
parents lofatiui;' on a farm in the tuwnshi|) of 
I iiion. 

Our subject's father, Cornehus I'olhenius, was a 
farmer by calling. Our suliject's motlier, Rebecca 
Stevenson before her marriage, was born in Xew 
.Jersey and was a daughter of Arthur Stevenson, 
the ehlcr of two brothers who caine from England 
and from whom have sprung the different branches 
of tlie family in this country. In 1832 Cornelius 
Polhemus removed with his family from Cayuga 
County, N. Y., to Washtenaw County, Mich. The 
change must have been fraught with surprises as 
well as hardships to the various members of the 
family. They, with four neighboring families, 
came to this State and made a settlement in Free- 
dom Township, wliere our subject's parents secured 
a tract of land, which they cleared and expended 
their energies upon in bringing it to a good state 
of cultivation. They erected a good class of 
buildings and there carried on general farming, 
continuing in this until the time of the decease of 
the father and head of tlie family. lie died in 
.July, 1860, and his wife, in April. 18(j.'), when in 
her eightieth year. 

Our suJiject was one of nine children born to 
his parents, there being four boys and five girls, of 
whom live are living at the present time. (Jf 
these Jacob A. is the j-oungest son, being the 
fifth in order of birth in his family. As a lad 
he acquired his education in the common schools 
of his home district and as he increased in strength 
and stature was engaged with his father and broth- 
ers in their agricultural work. In April, 183.5, our 
sul)jeet came to Washtenaw County, having iu his 
possession l>3(Kl and a suit of clothes. Tiiis money he 
had earned, and with it lie purchased eighty acres 
of land in Freedom Township; of this he cleared 
eight acres .and sowed it in wheat. In the midst 
of the clearing he built a small log house which 
was his home for two years, at the expiration of 
which time he sold it. 

March l.i. 1835, he of whom we write was united 
in marriage to Miss .lane X. Sedam, of Cayuga 
County, N. Y., having gone Jjack to his native 
State to get his bride. After marriage he with his 



young wife returned to this State and began house- 
keeping in the small log house that, liowever. they 
had the knowledge of knowing was their own. 
On selling his eighty-acre tract lie purchased 
one hundred and sixty acres in Scio Township, 
adding to it meantime until he had three hundred 
and twenty acres. Here he has carried on (luitean 
extensive business in general farming and stock- 
raising, raising also considerable wheat. 

The original of our sketch remained upon the 
farm spoken of above until 1862, when his Ijusii- 
ness interests calling him to Ann Arbor verj' fre- 
(juently, he determined on locating here. In 18r)!t 
Mr. Polhemus had purchased au interest in a fact- 
ory in Auburn, >.'. Y., and was largely interested 
in the manufacture of farm machinery, including 
for the most jiart mowers and reapers. The latter 
was known as the Ball reaper and l)ecame very pop- 
ular throughout the West. The main office was 
carried on imder the firm name of Dodge, Steven- 
son iV' Co. That company also manufactured a 
machiuf wliich was :i combination of the Ball and 
Buckeye known as the Dodge mower and reaper, 
which also had a large sale, and was manufactured 
under a roj'alty. The firm carried on lousiness 
successfully until it was merged into a stock com- 
pany and finally became financially involved and 
the debts that* were contracted took much of Mr. 
Polhemus' hard earnings to liquidate, and had it 
not Iteen that he still kept up the business on his 
Washtenaw farm, which brought him some income, 
he would have been even more embarrassed than 
he was. 

In 18(!2. our subject removed from his farm tii 
Ann Arlior and was here engaged in the sale of 
farm implements through the States of Michigan, 
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and also through 
the Territories. Meantime he settled up the busi- 
ness of the old firm and established a footing for 
the new firm. He continued in tliis up to 187.i, 
when he severed his connection with the Auburn 
Manufacturing Company. In 1867 our suliject 
j)urc!iased what was previoush' knowTi as the N. B. 
Nye livery stock, taking it upon a debt and having 
a man to run the business up to 187(1 when he sold 
out his stock and livery stable, but the party fail- 
ing to make jiayment upon it he was compelled to 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRArHICAL ALBUM. 



377 



take it back and has continued tlie business u]) to 
tlie present time. He has taken into pai-tncisiui) 
in tlie business his grandson, . Joseph A. I'olheiniis, 
who liolds the ottice of manager. They now carry 
a fine and complete line of buggies, horses, hacks 
and omnibuses and do a thriving business. Mr. 
and JMrs. Polhemus were the parents of five 
children, of whom two are living al the present 
time — Abram S., who resides in Ann Arbor, and 
.Mrs. Amelia Rogers of Soio Townshii). ]\Irs. I'ol- 
hemus died in January, 1884. 

The original of oin- sketch has orticiated in van 
ous capacities in both township and city oftices. 
He has been Constable several terms and also Col- 
lector. From 1849 to 1851 he was Supervisor of 
Scio Township. He is a prominent member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has passed 
llirough all the Chairs. He is also a member of 
.Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Dexter Lodge. 
The original of our sketch has built and owned 
several store houses and dwellings and has much 
really valuable property that brings in a comfort- 
able income for his declining years. One of his 
l)0.ssessions that is sure to have an increasing 
valuation in the near future comprises ninety- 
four lots in the new addition, which is. known 
as (h'and Mew. Politically Mr. Polhemus is a 
stanch Democrat, having cast his first Presiden- 
tial vote for Andrew .lackscm and his last one 
for Grover Cleveland. Our sulijict has a very 
plea-sant residence, located at No. ()2 S. Fourth 
Street and here he receives with most gracious 
hospitality his friend.?. 



TTMFH KBEliRACH. The gentleman whose 
name is at the head of this sketch, is with- 
out doubt one of the most skillful pliarma- 
eists in the city of Ann Arljor. He is a native of 
tills place, being born November 23, 1845. He is 
the oldest living son of Christian and ^Margaret 
(Lauhengazer) Eberbaeh, of whomaniore comjdete 
history will be given below. Ottmer was educated 
as far as the rudiments are concerned in the Ann 



Arbor City schools which he attended until sixteen 
years of age, and then taking a trip to Europe, he 
entered the Polytechnic School, at Stuttgart, and 
later in Tuebingen pursued his studies for three 
years, during which time he paid particular atten- 
tion to botany, chemistry and the natural sciences. 

After a delightful course in the German colleges 
in which he profited much by the thorough methods 
there employed and the i)ractical demonstration in 
the lal)ra lories of the studies of which he made a 
specialty, Mr. Eberbaeh returned to Ann Arbor and 
entered his father's store, he being engaged in the 
drug busines.s. In 1874 he formed a partnership 
witli his father, and the business was carried on un- 
der the firm name of Eberbaeh & Son, and so har- 
monious have the Inisiness arrangements of the 
firm been conducted, that the partnei-ship has con- 
tinued until the present time. In the early part 
of his experience .as a druggist, our subject ac- 
(luainted himself thoroughly with Materia Medica 
and chemistry, and was one of the first to agitate 
the question of legislation for regulating the prac- 
tice of pharmacy in the State, resulting in thejiass- 
age of the Pharmacy Law in 1885. 

The original of our sketch was married Novem- 
ber 3. 1870, to Mi.ss Catherine Haller, of Ann Ar- 
bor. The lady is a native of Germany, but came 
to Ann Arbor when a young lady; she is a daugh- 
ter of Jacob Haller. This couple have had five 
children, who are by name: Ottilie, Emily, Oscar 
A., Elsie A. and Carl W. Mr. El)erbach was ap- 
pointed l)y Gov. ,\lger, a member of the State 
Hoard of Pharmacy, which office he still holds, hav- 
ing been reappointed by Gov. Luce, and being one 
of the E.Kaminers of the Board. Our subject is the 
owner of a fine home located on Fourth Avenue. 
His residence was built in 1883, and is one of the 
finest in the city. He is a Republican in politics. 

It will not be out of place to here give a short 
sketch of the parents of Mr. Eberbaeh. Christian 
Eberbaeh, the senior member of the firm of drug- 
gists of that name, was born in Stuttgart, Wurtem- 
berg, Germany, July 25, 1817. He is the .son of 
.loseph and M'ilhelmina Eberbaeh, and was the 
fourth in order of birth of seven children. He at^ 
tended school in his native country until fourteen 
years of age, and was then apprenticed to an apotiie- 



378 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



eary for three \eais, lieiug two _yeai-s assistant. 
From the age of nineteen to twenty-one he was en- 
gaged a» a student at the Polytechnicinn in which 
lie made a study of chemistry. After that lie spent 
one season with a Homeopathie jjhysician and pre- 
pared for him his medicine*. 

At the age of twenty-one Christian Eherbach.in 
accordance with the common laws of Germany was 
oliliged to submit to military conscription, but suc- 
ceeded in lieing exempted from such duty, and 
in 1H3M he came to the United States.and for three 
years was engaged as a clerk. Then he established 
himself in Ann Arbor as a dispensing druggist, and 
has here made his home ever since. He was mar- 
ried in 1843, to JIargaret Laubongayer. By her he 
has become the fathei- of eight children, whose 
names are as follows: Carl, Ottmer, Edward, Ern- 
est, JIarie. Alfred, Clara and William. C'liristian 
Ebe.bach has been Mayor of Ann Arbor, and filled 
the position acceptably throughoxit his term of 
ollice. lie has never belonged to any secret society 
liul in early days lieluiiged to the fire dejjartment. 



^^Hh^ 



^Ij'OHN I'. liARLOW. The beautiful towi- 
ship of Ypsilanti with its well- watered fields 
^,^1 I and meadows, its rolling surface and fine 
i^fJ wood land, is the place of residence of one 
of the most prominent pioneers of this portion of 
the country. He resides on section 24, and is a na- 
tive of Livingston County, X. Y.. having been 
born there September 21, 1812. He is a sou of 
Ovid and Abigail (Whaley) Barlow. His father 
was a native of Massachusetts and his mother of 
Rhode Island. His immediate progenitor on the 
|)aternal side was a genuine Yankee and his mother's 
family wai* of English origin. More than one of 
his ancestors fought for the cause of their country 
in Colonial days, both in the French and Indian 
War and in the later struggle for independence. 
Our subject's Grandfather Barlow was a soldier in 
the Revolutionary A\'ar. 

He of whom we write received his early train- 
ing' in his native conntv and State and has from 



youth been engaged in farming. His educational 
advantages received in youth were but limited and 
his earl}- efforts with his books have been supple- 
mented by extended readings in various branches 
.so that he is an intelligent man, well ver.sed in the 
current topics of the day. After reaching his ma- 
jority he began life for himself and was married 
April 8, 1854, to Miss Matilda Cheevej's, who was 
born in Ireland. Her father was an officer in the 
iinglish Array and the lady received the advant- 
ages of a careful and t-ystematic education. She 
was a daughter af Patrick and Maria Cheevers and 
emigrated to America with some of her friends 
about 1848. 

By the union above mentioned our subject and 
his wife became the parents of four children whose 
names are as follows: Maria L.. Alinena E., who 
is deceased, .John P., Jr., and Dennis C. In 183tj 
Mr. Barlow emigrated to Michigan and settled 
first on the Huron River in Wayne County. He 
there resided until the spring of 1881, when he le- 
moved to Washtenaw County and settled on his 
present farm and has lived here ever since. 

Our subject, as will be seen by the date of his birth 
given above, is almost an octogenarian, though still 
hale and hearty in spite of the severity of the pio- 
neer work to which he has subjected himself. In 
Wayne County he cleared up a large farm and 
only one who has accomplished a similar work can 
appreciate the hard labor entailed in such an un- 
dertaking. Our subject is a representative and 
t\pical pioneer, simple-hearted and genial, preserv- 
ing his early ideas of hospitality and generosity. 
Deprived himself of many early advantages, he has 
sought to make up to his children what he himself 
has missed. They have all been well educated and 
he has been also liberal in giving his cliildren good 
financial starts in life. 

Mrs. Barlow, who was for years the devoted 
companion of her husband and his tender sym- 
pathizer and counselor, departed this life .June 1, 
1886. She was beloved by all who knew her and 
in her decea.se not only the successful and well 
provided for with the members of her own fam- 
ily, deplored her lo.«s, but the poor and needy and 
wretched felt that in her decease they had lost a 
friend that could never be replaced. Our sul)ject 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



379 



is a stanch Republican and is eaii:er to see liis party 
successful as in Fuiiuer d.ivs. Mr. Barlow is not 
connected witli any clmrt'li organization, but rec- 
ognizing the breadth of good acconiplislied therein 
has always been a lil)eral contributor toward the 
support of the Gospel teachings. His good name, 
that treasure tliat is above all to every self-respect- 
ing man. has ever been above reproacli, and the 
actions of our subject throughout life have been 
characterized by the teachings of the meek ami 
lowly Master, doing unto others as he would 
that they should do unto him. It must be a grat- 
ification to him in his declining years to witness 
the esteem and contidenee reposed in liim liy all 
classes of people. 



m. 



iK UNIUS E. BEAIj, editor and proprietor of 
the Ann Arbor Cdurier, was born at Port 
Huron, IMich., February 23, 1S60, his parents 
^^ being James and Loretta (Beal) Field. 
Affliction early came to this child, as he was be- 
reaved of his mother's love and care when he was 
only eleven months old, but he was at once adopted 
into the family of an uncle. Rice A. Real, and 
legally took his name. This uncle was one of the 
most prominent busiiiess men of Ann Arltor and 
indeed of the entire State, being an intimate friend 
of "Zach" Chandler and in touch with all the 
leaders of his time. lie was a man of wealth and 
his property at his death fell mostly to this adopted 
son. His estate was estimated at from x|.')0.(i(((i to 
*200,000. 

Tlie early education of .Junius Beal was taken in 
the city schools and after passing through the 
High School he entered the Literary Department 
of tlie University of Michigan, from which he 
graduated in 1882. During .luly of the same year 
he entered the ottici' of the Courier and took 
charge of the editorial department for his uncle, 
who was its proprietor. After the death of Rice 
A. Beal the young man took entire charge of the 
paper and also settled up the large estate of his 



adopted father, to which he was the only heir of 
any considcralilc amount. 

The Courier is an eight-page six-column paper, 
all the matter tor which is set in the oHice. and it 
has the record of l)eing the first paper in the State 
outside of Detroit, which sets type by machinery, 
as Mr. Beale uses the typograph. From the Courier 
office appeared Dr. Chase's receipt books which 
had such a wondei-ful .sale, aggregating in all o\ev 
a million copies, and Dr. Chase was at one time 
the editor of the Courier. It is Republic.in in its 
political .sentiments and sympathies and is issued 
upon AVednesday of each week. The paper was 
established in 1862 by C. G. Clark and W. I). 
Wiltsie, and Dr. Chase came into control of it in 
186;'). It is now the leading Republican organ of 
Washtenaw County and has a large circulation in 
both town and country. Besides the publication 
of the Courier the office does a large amount of 
job work and especially college printing as it lias 
every facility for turning out elegant work. 

The Courier building is a large three-story brick 
structure 68x100 feet, the whole being devoted to 
the business and lieated throughout with steam. 
Mr. Beal put in the first electric light plant in the 
city and the first private plant in the State in any 
office. He has his own system of water works 
independent of the city and has put in a thorough 
system of deep wells and sewerage. 

This young man holds numerous official posi- 
tions of responsibility and was President of the 
Hepublican League of Michigan for two terms, 
being the youngest man in the country to' hold 
tliat position, when he was elected to his first term 
in 1888. For seven years he has been a member 
of the School Board and is n Director of the 
Farmers and ^Mechanics Bank at Ann Arbor and 
also a Director of the Peninsular Paper Comiiany, 
Secretary of the Port Huron Gas Company and Di- 
rector of the Ann Arbor Electric Light Comjjany. 
He is President of the Street I^ilway connecting 
Ann Arbor and Yj)silanti, and Director in the Beta 
Theta Pi Club and Wesleyaii Guild of Michigan, 
being Trustee in both. 

In November, 188'.( Mr. Beal was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Ella Travis, of Cooper. Alich.. a 
daughter of Daniel Travis, a New Yorker l>v birth. 



380 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Mrs. Beal and our sulijec-t are both members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Clmrch and are active in its 
service and Mr. Beal is one of its Trustees. Their 
teautiful home is situated at the corner of Fifth 
Avenue and Williams Street and it is the center 
of true social life and hi)S)iitality. 



,1, ()1L\ BArM(iARl)-NKU. The gentleman 
whose name is at the head of this sketch, 
besides having a primary commercial inter- 
V^/ est in the business to which he devotes him- 
self, being proprietor of the Marble and (iranite 
Works of Ann Arlior. has moreover an artist's ap- 
preciation of the marvclously rich colors that may 
tie found ill the granite formations coming from 
various portions of the globe, and also in tlie pure 
whiteness of the Italian marbles and those marliles 
of American "production which are daily gaining 
groiuidin jyopular favor. Mr. Baumgardner is a 
native of this city, having been born here Angu.st 
11, 1H59. He is a son of Leopold and Elizabeth 
(Seabolt) Baumgardner. His father was a native 
of Germany. His mother, although liorn in this 
city, is also of fierraan ancestry, her father being 
one of the earliest representatives here of the 'IVu- 
touic element. 

Leopold Baumgardner was a blacksmith by trade 
and the forge and anvil that he .set up in this city 
were kept constantly employed until his health 
failed him .and he was obliged to give up the busi- 
ness. He died February 3, 1862, when in the 
pristine freshness of his manhood, being then only 
in his thirty-second year. His wife is still living 
and making her home in this city. 

John Baumgardner received a good education 
in the city schools which are noted for the excel- 
lency of their training. He is the only son result- 
ing from his mother's first marriage, she having 
contracted a second- marriage after our subject's 
father died, uniting hei' fate with that 't)f Anton 
Eisele, by whom she became the mother of six 
children and who established what is known as the 
Eisele Marble Works in 1H()K. wliich he carried on 



successfully until hi? decease, which occurred Oc- 
tober 3. 1887. After the death of his stepfather 
our subject succeeded to the business and has car- 
ried it on successfully ever since, having assumed 
proprietorship .Tune 1, 1888. 

The marble estaltlishment of Mr. Baumgardner 
is notably comjilete in the full stock of American 
and Italian marble that he carries, as well as for- 
eign and American granites. He keeps c(mstantl.\- 
employed a number of skilled workmen who are 
real artists in their specialties. They en jo}' a good 
trade in Washtenaw as well as adjoining connties. 
C)utside of the monumental business in which the 
finest artistic work is done, our subject carries a 
large amount of builders' st<me and granite and 
also constructs cement walks. He is an energetic 
young man who seeks to develop himself as well as 
his business in the best and broadest direction. 
The marble works are located on the corner of 
Catherine and Detroit Streets. He has besides a 
wareroom for storing his material. Our suiiject is 
himself a technical worker in marble and this prac- 
tical knowledge of the business gives him a great 
advantage as manager. He is an intelligent gen- 
tleman of superior mental attainments. He is now 
serving as Supervisor from the Fourth Wai-d and 
was nominated as Secretary of the Board in \f<7\. 
He is a raeml)er of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. November 3, 1891, Mr. Baumgardner 
united his fortunes with thato/ Miss Pauline AVin- 
cer. a native of (iermany. who has been in Amer- 
ica eight years. 

i^^^jHOMAS p. KP^AKNEY is a farmer residing 
//^^ on section iy,Northfield Township. He is a 
V^^ sou of Thomas H. Kearney, who was also a 
farmer and who was born in the Parish Cashill, 
Ireland, in 1800. He received a very good educa- 
tion in his native land, but early became restive 
and longed to sec more of the world. At the age 
of sixteen years he came to Xew York City and 
there was employed with (xrinnell Minton A: Co., a 
largo shipping firm who owned one hundred and 
liftv vessels and did an extensive business. He 




iy^-xA iJ c/'yT- 




y^.^^ 




c:^ -O-ulA^H <:3l--A.yL^{.yuL, 



/ c^ . S . ^ct^^^M . 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



386 



began as an office boy and arose in the employ un- 
til he liecame an agent or collector for the com- 
pany and traveled considerably, tinally liecoming 
confidential clerk. During that time lie went to 
Ireland and spent a year and a half in work in 
college, and on his return to America again entered 
the employ of (irinnell, Minton & Co., lieing with 
them tliirteeu years in all. 

Our subject's father came to Michigan in 1839 
and purchased eighty acres of land in Webster 
Townsliip, this county. It w.as only slightly 
improved, being a wilderness with a log cabin 
nestled in its midst. He settled upon the place 
and gave himself to the work of improvement, 
spending thirty years there with the exception of 
two years, extending from 1852 to 1854, that lie 
was in California, going thither by way of New 
Vork and Cape Horn on the clipper ship "Ino." 
.\rrived in that State he spent six months in the 
mines and there met a nephew of his old employers 
who had a mail line from San Francisco to Sacra- 
mento, and lie engaged to fill the jiosition upon it 
of purser. In this capacity he spent eighteen 
months and tlieii came liy way of the Isthmus of 
Panama on the good ship ",I. L. Stevens" to 
Panama, crossing the isthmus with mules, and from 
there took sliip to New York City. 

In 1827 Thomas II. Kearney contracted himself 
in marriage to Miss Ann Flinn,a daughter of Rob- 
ert Flinn, who was from County Tipperary, Ire- 
land. IMi's. Kearney was the only daughter of her 
father's family and was born in 1812. Her brothers, 
of whom she had three, were shipbuilders and be- 
ing in business in New York and Philadelphia sent 
ftir their sister to make her home with them. Our 
sultject was one of a family of five children born 
to his parents, of whom only two lived to be grown 
and Thomas P. alone surviving at the present 
time. Thomas H. in time added one liundred and 
sixtj' acres to his original tract of eighty acres and 
made of his place a fine farm. His decease occuircd 
November 21. 1884, his wife surviving him only Dy 
a few months, her death taking place in April of 
tlie following year. 

The original of our sketch was born April 17, 
1839, and received a good common-school educa- 
ti(m. AVhen twentv-three years of age he began 



life for himself and was engaged in the Michigan 
Locomotive Works for eighteen mijnths and later 
was fireman for thirteen months on the Michigan 
Central Railroad, then was promoted to the pos- 
ition of brakeman. The next five years were spent 
as baggage-master and then he came back to the 
home farm. 

In 1870 our subject married Catherine Ann 
Keenan, a daughter of Bernard and Eliza J. Keenan. 
They were tlie jiarents of three children of whom 
Mrs. Kearney is the eldest. She was born in 1848. 
Our subject and his wife have become the parents 
of ten children, whose names are as follows: Anna, 
B. T., John P., Eliza, Thomas II., Catherine. Mat 
thew, Robert M., William II. and Ambrose. 

Our subject has a beautiful home which he 
erected in 1878. It is a brick structure with stone 
trimmings, finished inside in hard wood and cost 
him $5,000 not considering his own labor. Mr. 
Kearney is fond of a good horse and has a well- 
bred Wilkes. 



lla*^ sional career of a skillful and devoted phy- 
^ \V sieian ever furnishes material of great 
" interest to all readers, and the life narra- 
tive of Dr. (iates is no exception to this general 
statement. His father, Roswell Gates, Sr., a native 
of New IIami)shire, came to New York many years 
ago and settled on Black River at Great Bend, 
where he made his home and reared his six sons 
and six daughters. His father w.ns one of the Rev- 
olutionary heroes and was on the staff of Gen. 
(Jates, whom our subject is proud to claim as his 
great-grandfatlier. Roswell Gates passed his last 
days at Watertown, N. V.. which had been his home 
for many years. 

He of whom we write was liorii March 1 I. 1824, 
at Great Bend, N. Y., and was only six mouths old 
when the family removed to Watertown. where he 
grew up on a farm, being educated in tiie common 
schools of the county and at Watertown Academy. 
He afterward took a two gears' course in the Black 



386 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Kiver Literary Institute under private instruction, 
having Prof. Oruishy as liis tutor. At the aire of 
seventeen he took up tlie profession of a teaclier 
and at the same time devoted considerable attention 
to the study of medicine. After thus continuing 
for nine years he went to Washington, I). C. and 
continued for tliree years witli Dr. Spragiu- of lial- 
ston Spa. He tauglit a private scliool at that lime 
and also a little later in IJockliridge County, Va. 
in the neighborhood of tiie Xatural Bridge, wliile 
at the same time he studied for two years with Dr. 
David G. Houston, a cousin of the famous (iov. 
Sam Houston of Texas. He alst) began the practice 
of medicine while with this good jihysician. Under 
the rules of the University of iSIichigan the Doctor 
received his diploma and in the spring of 1852 
established himself in his profession at Sylvan 
Center, this county. He entered into partnershi)) 
with Dr. White, formerly of Boston and a gradiiMti- 
of the University of Michigan. 

Dr. Gates practiced at Sylvan Center until 1 80;"). 
and in October of 1854 he was married to Kvelina 
Davis, daughter of William Arnold Davis, a New 
HamiJshire man who came to Sylvan Township in 
1833. Mr. and Mrs. Davis had four sons and three 
daughters, and the former was a son of Amos Davis, 
a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Abigail Lawrence, died 
December 10, 1888. and he passed from life Janu- 
ary 29, 1869, both of them in Sylvan Townshij). 
Mr. Davis was a member of the Presbyterian ( li inch 
and was identified with the Masonic order. .Mrs. 
Davis was a member of the Baptist Churcli. 

The following children have been liorn to our 
subject and his worthy wife: Mnvy V.. who is the 
wife of William E. Depew, a lawyer of Alpena; 
Uoswell D., who still makes his home with his pa- 
rents but is now in New Yoi-k as an artist for a 
Chicago house; and Abigail M., who also resides at 
home. In 1856 Dr. Gates came to Chelsea, where 
he practiced his profession two years and later re- 
moved to his handsome farm of two hundred and 
twenty acres in Lima Township. ( »ni' liundrcc] 
and sixty acres of this is in an improved condition 
and the whole farm lies inside the corporation of 
Chelsea. Besides draining the lowland he has set 
out a tine orchard and niadi' other s\ilistantial 



improvements, including a liea\itiful lionu- which is 
most pleasantly located. 

Di'. (iates is a niembei- of Chelsea Lodge. I. ().(). F. 
and in his political views is a l{ei)ublicfui. lie has 
been Township Clerk .and was a candidate for the 
IjCgislalure during the war. He was a surgeon in 
the Third Division of the Ninth Army Corps, 
after Grant took charge of the Arm\- of the Polo- 
mac in 18G4. and was active in the Battle of the 
Wilderness. After coming from the army he took 
another course of lectures at the University of 
Michigan and received a certificate of attendance 
thereon. He is a member of the Washtenaw County 
Medical .Society. 

We invite tiie reader's attention to the litho- 
graphic portraits of Dr. (Jates .-iiid his- estimable 
wife. 



y,ll.l.lA.U J>. l)M>t)UA. lliis well-Knov 
and jjopular Supervisor of Sharon Tow 
^ ,^ ship, whose farm is located upon sectic 



yHJJAM B. OSI'.OIJX. This well-known 

['own- 
I'tion 

27, is a son of William Osborn, a nati\e of Fair- 
field County, Conn., who was born .lune Id. 18(12. 
He in turn was a son of Isaac Osborn, a native of 
Connecticut, who was born March 11, 1776, and 
his father, I.*aac Sr., was born in 1740. 

The mother of our sidiject, Anna Lockwood, 
was a native of Fairfield County, Conn., where .she 
was boin in 1804 and her father was .lob Lock- 
wood, a farmer there. She was united with Will- 
iam Osborn in her native State and continued her 
residence there until the death of her husband in 
1845. The widow continued to make her home in 
Connecticut until 1865, when she came to jMichi- 
gan and died there in June, 1889. They were the 
parents of four children, only two of whom are 
now living, our subject and his brother (Jeorge E., 
whose home is at Grass Lake, Mich, Both parents 
were active members of the Protestant jNIethodist 
Church and had both been teachers for many years 
and were ever solicitous for the best educational 
advantaoes for their childi'eii. The father w;is ;ni 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



387 



active Whig in his political views and one of the 
most thorouiilily u|irii;lit .•nul inouii'ssivc nifii in 
Wilton, Conn. 

He of whom we write w:\s lioi ii June 1 7. IH'M), in 
Fairfield County, Conn., and lliere lie yrew to 
manhood, takins;' his sehoolinu in the (ii>trict 
.schools and his training' uixni the faini and re- 
maininji' at home until he reached the .age of 
twenty-three year.s. Me then started onf witli «4(i(i 
and comins>' to Michigan in Fel)ruar\, If^.'il. made 
his home with an uncle, Mr. Burr (iould. wlio was 
an early settler in Sharon Township, and had come 
iicre from Connecticut. Tliis innMe died dnring 
the .same year, 18;')1, and the neplu'w tlien tooi< 
charge of his farm. 

The young man nt>w learned wliat lie could do 
toward liuildino- u|) a home and n fortune in the 
l'"ai- West and in the fall of 1804 he x'tuiiu'd to 
Connecticut to Itring hence the lady of his t'lioice. 
lie was married Xoveinhei- l!l, I8r)4, to .lane, dangh- 
ter of the lion. Sherman and Mrs. Susan (llurl- 
liurt) Cole. Iioth of whom were natives of Fairlield 
County, Conn., Mr. Cole being born in 1801, and 
the mother in 1812. She still survives in her old 
home in Connecticut but became a widow in l<s77. 
They were earnest and active members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church throughout life and 
the father was useful as Steward and Trustee of 
the church. They were the parents of twelve 
childien, ten of whom are now living. The Hon. 
Sherman Cole was an active AVhig in ])olitics and 
besides serving as Selectman in his town was for 
one term a member of the Connecticut Legislature 
and in every walk of life was a most popular man 
and a thoroughly educated one. He had great 
mechanical .skill and carried on the manulacture of 
carriages in Wilton, C(mn. 

Mrs. Osborn is the only one of her father's 
family who had eyer removed to the West. She 
was born August 18. 1832, and besides receiving a 
district school education had thorough and etticicnt 
training in the domestic arts which have made her 
ever usefid throughout life. After her marriage 
with our suiiject they came West and settled upon 
the Gould farm which they carried on for twelve 
ysiirs and then bought one hundred and thirty 
acres of land on section 32. which was alrcad\' im- 



proved l)ut had no b\iildings upon it. He at once 
proceeiled to erect a residence and barn, and hav- 
ing .set out an orchard and put the property in fit 
condition he sold it and bought two hundred and 
tifty acres which were known as the David Row 
fniiii. After two years' residence there Mr. Osborn 
sold this farm and bought pro))erty on sections 18 
iiiid lit, which comprises three hundred and fifty 
ncies of imjjroved Land. 

Haying resided upon that property for twelve 
years oui' subject sold it and removed to his pres- 
ent farm to \vliicli he has added substantial im- 
provements and where he carries on general 
farming, one hundred and eighty of his two hun- 
dred acres lieing under cultivation. Five of his 
seven children arc now living, namely: William 
B.. .Ir., who was born in 18.")fi, and married Mary 
I). Willis, with whom he makes his home in .Jackson 
Mich., Alliert S., who was born in 1858, and mar- 
ried Elizabeth Dunbar and is living in Rochester, 
X. Y.; Anna, born in 18(50. lives in Connecticut; 
Samuel, born in 186(), is still a student at the 
State University, and Hattie M., who was born in 
1869, resides at home. The daughter, Lydia C, 
who died, passed away in infancy, but the son, 
( Jcorge C, had reached the .age of twenty-six. All 
have received an excellent education having been 
students at Hillsdale at the State Agricultural Col- 
lege and at the State University. 

Mrs. Osborn is an active worker in Sunday- 
school and church and has had a class or been Su- 
perintendent of the school since .she w.as eighteen 
years old. She is the President of the Ladies' Aid 
.Society, which oflice she has held for two years. 
Mr. Osborn takes a great interest in educational 
matters and has been a member of the School Board, 
He is an active sui)porter of the church although 
not a member and in politics is attached to the 
Democratic party. For eight years he was .Justice 
of the Peace and his various terms as Supervisor 
liaye extended through the years 1871. 1882 to 
1888 .and again in 1891, He has been exceedingly 
useful among his neighbors in settling uyi estati^s, 
a work to which he is often called. 

The grandmother of !Mrs. Osborn was married 
during the Revolutionary War and her husband 
was a soldier under (!en. Washington, and it was 



388 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



one of their sons who became the father of ]Mrii. 
Oslwrn. The first of the Osborn family to locale 
in America was C'apt. Ricliard. who v, as born in 
1612 and who sailed in the ship "Hopewell" in 
1634. Upon reaching this country he joined the 
Plymouth Colony and made his home in 163;') in 
Hingham. Mass. He was a volunteer during the 
Pequod Wars and afterward became a resident of 
New Haven, Conn., where he settled in 1643. Ten 
years later he located at Fairfield, Conn., and died 
in 1686, leaving five children. His son David 
had seven children, one of whom, William, was 
born April 16, 1708. This son had four children 
by his first marriage, and his second wife, Mary 
Lyon, presented him with eight children. His sou 
Isaac, who was one of the children of the first mar- 
riage, was born September 6, 1740. and had, nine 
children, one of whom Isaac, born March 1 1. 1776. 
was the father of twelve children, his son William 
being the father of our subject. 



m 



'OHN HA.\RER. There is nothing more 
fascinating to a lover of ideas than a book- 
store filled with the choice works of ancient 
^^ and modern writers. Within their uncut 
pages are the treasures of all the ages, we of to-day 
who boast of our advance in science and even in 
methods of thinking, being but the heirs of ages 
of evolution in thought and progress. One of the 
most popular resorts in the city of Ann Arbor to 
the man or woman who loves books, is that of 
which Mr. Haarer is the proprietor, he having a 
fine book and stationery establishment in the Col- 
lege City of Michigan. 

The original of our sketch was born in Wurtem- 
berg, Germany, in the village of Oeschell)ronn in 
the county of Herrenberg, February 22, 1840. He 
is the son of Michael Haarer, who was a farmer by 
calling. Our subject's mother was prior to her 
marriage Fraulein Christina Gauss, a native of the 
same place as was her husband. Her death occur- 
red when oui- sutiject was twenty-seven years of 



age. Our subject's father emigrated to the United 
State in 1880 and located in Mexico. Mo., who he 
•lied in 1882. Of a family of seven children was 
born in the Fatherland, all are now citizens of the 
United States, where they are scattered in different 
directions. .lolin Haarer was the third in order of 
birth of his mother's family. His attendance at 
school began when eight years of age, going to the 
quaint village school where the children were 
taught the practical things of life as well as the 
knowledge of books. He remained in the school 
until fourteen years of age, during which time he 
became thoroughly familiar with his native tongue 
and also quite an adept in Lati'n. 

.lohn Haarer emigrated to the United States in 
1.^61 and landed in New York City. Thence he 
removed to Ann Arbor, Mich, and oh coming here 
at once began to look about for employment, and 
the first that he found was an eight days' engage- 
ment in the harvest field. He afterward was em- 
ployed foi' thiee months with a railroad company 
as a section hand and then started in the ambro- 
ty|)e business. This departure promising success, 
he opened up a gallery on South Main Street, and 
was very successful in his undertaking. The old 
building into which he first moved with his liusi- 
ness he occupied until 1888 when he moved the 
frame upon another lot and erected in its place a 
fine brick building. It is three stories in height 
and 22.x80 feet in dimensions. Here he runs a 
(German book and stationery store in connection 
with his gallery. Mr. Haarer has i)rogressed with 
the times in his chosen calling, which has acliieved 
a distinction among the arts. 

Mr. Haarer was married September 11, 1871 to 
Miss Christina AVidemann, of Hutzenbach in the 
county of Freudenstadt, Wurtemberg, who died 
one year after her marriage. Mr. Haarer was 
married again .July !.">. liS7.") to Miss Catherine 
Zimmer, of Ann Aibor. Her i)arents .'ue resi- 
dents of Canada of which place she is a na- 
tive. Mr. and Mrs. Haarer are the parents of 
seven children whose names are as follows: John 
W., Mary C, Oscar H., Julius F., Elinora. Ernest 
and (reorge. Socially he of whom we write be- 
longs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen 
being Master of the lodge, to which he lias be- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



38!l 



lonovfl tor many year^i. He is also a ini'inbei' of 
the Turn Verine of which he was President seveial 
times. Altliougli our subjeet adheies to the 
principles and theories as held by the Kepublican 
party, he is rather independent in his vote, giving- 
his recognition to the best men rather than to party 
favorites. He and his wife are members of the 
Zion Lutheran Church. They reside over their 
store at No. 5 W. Liliert\- Street. 



^^ 



^ANIEL XKLSOX SMITH is a farmer and 
stock-raiser of Salem Township, this county, 
lie was born in Bristol, Ontario County, N.Y., 
Sei)tember "25, 1814, and is the seventh in a family 
of ten children born to the union of Daniel and 
Diadama (Seekins) Smith, natives of Massachu- 
setts, the former born in the latter part of the 
eighteenth century and the mother at about the 
same time. Our subject's brothers and sisters were 
Phiebe, Nancy, Osmond, Elmira, Eli O.. Phi- 
etus, Stephen, Delos F., and Mary L. Pliwbe 
married Dr. Bailey, of Midland; the\- are both 
deceased. Nancy is the wife of Sears Smith and 
resides in Ontario County, N. Y.; Osmond died 
in California; Elmira married Calvin Wheeler 
in New York; they both died in AVashtenaw 
County; Eli ()., died at Salem; Philetus is a resi- 
dent of Bristol, N. Y., living on the old home- 
stead; Stephen died in Iowa; Delos resides at 
Whitemore Lake, this county-; Mary L. w.as the wife 
of vSeth Tubbs and died in New York. 

The original ot our sketch came to W'asiitenaw 
County in 1833. He had little more on making 
his advent here, than an abiding faith in his youth 
and strength, and liis chest of tools with which he 
was determined to carve himself out at least a 
competency. He at once pursued his trade, which 
was that of a carpenter and joiner and continued 
in it until aliout fifty years of age. He was mar- 
ried in 1838 to MissPersis A. Cook, who made him 
a good wife and loving helpful comjianion. Into 
them were born three children. 

Tlif little t'nniily thai gicw up almiil mii- >ubject 



were named as follows: Caroline, Daniel and Eu- 
dora E. Caroline became the wife of Hamilton 
\ anatta. who is now deceased; Daniel married 
( atlierine Betts and makes his home near the old 
place; Eudora E. is the wife of N. Carpenter. Our 
subject and his wife are members of the Congre- 
gational Church in which their children have also 
been brought u|). .Socially Mr. Smith is a member 
of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at South 
Lyon. Politically he is a Democrat and his asso- 
ciations as far as party are concerned have alwa,ys 
been with that body. Mr. Smith has always been 
distinguished for prudence, foresight and dis- 
cretion in business affairs. His sen.se of honor is 
great and his name is used as a .synonym in the 
vicinity for justice and disinterestedness of pur- 
pose. He and his wife have the respect of all who 
know them, and the family to which he belongs is 
one which has been highly favored by nature. 



i >ILL1AM E. MANNIN(i. The career of 

\/k-f ^'"' gentleman of whom it is our pleasure 
W^ and privilege to here attempt a short 
sketch is connected about equally with New York 
and Michigan. Born in the former State, in Sara- 
toga County, April 30, 1815, he was there reared 
and educated, receiving such advantages as the 
district schools of his locality offered. He remained 
under the jiarental roof until he had reached sev- 
enteen years, and October 12, 1837, was married 
in ^lonroe County, to Miss Eveline K. Martin. 
Mi>. Manning h.as the faculty of making a delight- 
ful home and like many another good woman and 
true helpmate, has been the inspiration of her hus- 
band to his best work, for what can a man do out 
in the business world if, on coming home he finds 
his house illy cared for, his food poorly cooked 
and his wife unattractive in her attire. 

One child has been vouchsafed to the care of 
this interesting couple and was born to them while 
residentvS of New York. They gave him the name 
of Reuben E. In 184.') he of whom we write with 
his family came to Salem Township, this State and 



390 



I'OKTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



settled on a farm. This is the same place of which 
he is now a resident. He has developed the farm 
of eighty acres and has added a good class of im- 
provements. Since locating here two other chil- 
dren have been born in this State — they are Mnry 
II., who is the wife of William II. Hamilton, til' 
Salem Township and Lewis* B., a resident of Salem 
and engaged in traveling for a wholesale nursery. 
The eldest son graduated at the Baptist Theologi- 
cal College at Morgan Park, a sulnirb of Chicago, 
and is now pastor of the North Church in Detroit. 

Our subject is a son of Klias and Mary (Burr) 
Manning, both natives of Connecticut. The father 
was a farmer and carpenter. It is probable that 
uur subject's ancestors came from England. Po- 
litically the gentleman of whom we write is and 
has always been Republican. He and his family 
are members of the Baptist Church of Salem. Our 
subject's membership extended over a period of 
nearly sixty yeai-s. 

The home-life of the original of our .-iketch is 
full of sunshine and happiness; each member of 
the family bears in mind the (iospel teachings 
which make them forbearing and unselfish in their 
relations with each other and also appreciative of 
the efforts made by the other members which is one 
of the first qualities that insure harmon\' in the 
i'amilv. 



SJSf' 



li^iK 



'OSEPH L. :M01'NT. No theme is more 
agreeable to the biographer than that of the 
pioneer times, and the life story of one who 
has passed through that trying period and 
has made his way to comfort and prosperity through 
hardships and privations, is of interest to every 
reader. Such a storj' do we have in the life of 
the one whose name we now give. His father was 
■William Mount a native of .'Monioe Township. 
Middlesex County. N. .1., where he was liorn in 
I 77(1 His good wife was Rebecca Irving, a nativi' 
of the same place and born in 177«. 

This worthy couple made their peiin.-iiient home 
after marriage in New York State. \\\\vyv they 



located and cleared up a farm, but a defective title 
robbed them not only of their land, but of their 
hard labor, and then he returned to New Jersey, 
where he spent the remainder of his life, the mother 
having died in New Yc>rk.. William Alount was a 
e:ii|)enter by trade and his father, .loseph Moinil. 
w:is a soldier in the War of 1812, and drew a pen- 
sion from the trovernment until the day of his 
death, when he was eighty-three years old. Samuel 
Longstreet, the great-grandfather of our .subject.had 
also done patriotic service for his country, being a 
Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, and being 
active in several of the prominent battles of that 
sanguinary period. His home was close to the 
battlefield of Monmouth, and there he died at the 
age of ninety-six. Mr. Mount's maternal grand- 
father had also a patriotic record, he, .John Irving, 
being a soldier in the War of 1812 and a i)ensioner 
till his death at the age of eiglit\-three. His wife 
w!is a daughter of ^Vrthur Wylee of New Jersey. 

The mother of our .subject died while still quite 
a young woman, passing away in jsil. while the 
father survived until 1870. lieing then ninety-six 
years of age. He married three times and each 
wife presented him with five children, and he out- 
lived the last wife by twenty years. Our subject 
was the son of the first marriage and four of that 
first family are still living. He was born .January 
6, 1808 in New Jersey, and remained at home 
until he reached the age of .seventeen, when he 
went to New York City and took an ajiprentice- 
ship at the carpenter's trade, after which for eleven 
years he did journeyman work. He served for 
seven years in the I^jleventh New York Heavy 
.\rtillerv and passed in review before Andrew 
J.ackson when he was J'resident of the United 
States. 

The marriage of our subject in 1830 in New- 
York brought him a faithful helpmate in the person 
of Ktta Pool, who W.1S born in Albanj' in 1811. Of 
her eleven children, six are now living, namely: 
Jane: Hannah the widow of a Mr. Bishop; (ieorge 
a minister of the Methodist Episco])al Church and 
latlier of three children living at I'arma, Mich.; 
.bihii. who married Ida Pool, and lives on this 
faini with his wife and six children: James, who 
lives in Ohio and ha;- one child, and Ellen, the wife 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



391 



of Kdwarrt liowe, and tlii' mother of live cliiklren. 
Tlif present generation lias shown the same will- 
ingness to saerifiee for the sake of oiu' eounlry that 
was exhibited in previous generations and diirinu 
the Civil War the son John eniislcd in llie KUn - 
entli Mieliigan Infantry. 

Mr. and Mrs. .Joseph !>. Mount started for .Mich- 
igan in 1836, coming hy tlic way of the Krie 
Canal to Buffalo and crossing the hike in the ohl 
"Monroe" to Detroit. Mr. Jlount had lieen here 
the previous year and picked out his land and 
they now took team and wagon from Deti-oit. 
altliougli he had to walk most of the way. When 
he had erected hi.s log house and taken at inven- 
tory of his estate he found that he liad a wife, one 
hundred and fourteen acres of land, a cow. a pig, 
and a hen and chickens. He bravely went to 
work clearing the timber from his land and as he 
reached his farm in July, he had by fall live acres 
cleared and liroken. 

Few white neighbors, l)ut red neighl)ors in 
plenty, were about this pioneer family, and the 
wild animals abounded, the wolves being e.speeially 
troublesome. One morning he heard them cl(j,se 
to his shanty and as liy that time he had a calf 
which was a very precious jjosscssion in those days, 
he said "they must have my calf," and sprang 
from his bed seizing an ax and I'unuing out. 
He found some cattle close to his house and his 
calf quite safe, and being satisfied he turned to go 
back, when he discovered his plucky wife standing 
just behind him with i)itchfork in hand. .She was 
a grand helper to him thiough all those days (jf 
struggle and hard work, for during their early 
days here they had nothing to help themselves 
with except their ow-n strong hands and sturdy 
independence. She was a devoted raemlier of tlie 
Methodist Episcoi)al Church and a true helper, not 
only to her husliand. but also to all who came 
within the radiance of her intluence. She passed 
from earth July I). IHSO. 

During tlie [jioneer days Mr. .Mount used to 
work at his trade, and for recom]M'n.se he had to 
take almost anything that was offered, such as 
produce, lie added to his original farm and at 
onetime owned nearly four hundred acres, lie 
pow lias two liundred and twenty aci-es. two-thirds 



of which are under cultivation, and he has erected 
three residences upon his farm. He has lived here 
litty-live years and has seen this section of Michi- 
gan pass through all the stages from a wilder- 
ness to its present prosperous condition. 

Tlie political symiiathie,s''of Mr. Mount have 
In-ought him in line with the Rejiublican party 
and in [jublic movements he has ever taken a deep 
interests. He has been a member of the School 
Hoard in tiiis district and has helped forward in 
e\-er\- way all progressive, educational movements. 
To his children he gave as good educational 
advantages as he could secure and into their minds 
instilled a love for learning. Sucee.ss has followed 
his efforts ever since his first coming to Michigan 
and he is now eighty-three years of .age and in the 
enjoyment of excellent health. 



oris C. WEJNMANX. a tlourishing and 
D) enterprising business man and citizen of 

1^^ ; Ann Arbor, is the proprietor of a line meat 
market on Washington Street, where he keeps 
everything for the accommodation of his many 
customers. He was born in the city of Ann .Ar- 
bor. February 25, 1867, and is the only .son of 
John Michael and Dorothea (Stein) Weinmann. 
The father was born August 10, 1836, in Platten- 
hardt, Wurtemberg, (iermany. and was a son of 
Michael and Anna Maria (Nagel) Weinmann. He 
was educated in the schools of his native place and 
in 18;)8 came to America, he immediately pressed 
his w.ay AVcstward as far as Ann Arlior. He first 
found eniployment on a farm near the citv, after 
which 111' worked in a tannery for Mr. Krause, then 
changing his business, learned the trade of a 
luitcher of Mr. Louis Fritz, and worked t'ov him a 
number of yeans. He went into business foi- him- 
self in 1863 in which he was engaged until his 
death which occurred .Vugust 21, 1890. 

.lohn Michael Weinmann was married to Anna 
Dorothea Stein, daughter of Jlichael and Magda- 
liiie (Hornbacher) Stein of Scio Townshi|). .Six 
children were born to them, three .sons and three 



392 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



daiiffhter.s, of whom one son died in infancy, an- 
other son Roljerl, died in his fourtli year. The 
cliildren now living are named Elizabeth M., Louis 
C. our subject, Emma C, and Louise P. In 1H68, 
Mr. Weinmann bought the house and lot on the 
eorner of Fifth Avenue and AVashington Street and 
in 1877 built a brick store on the liome place after 
having moved the frame building away. He was 
a member of the Ancient Order of Lnited Work- 
men and of Arbeitcr Verein. 

( )ur subject was educated in the city schools and 
and the High School of Ann Arbor. He com- 
menced his business life by assisting his father in 
the meat market where he acquired a good knowl- 
edge of the business and after his father's death 
continued to cai-i'v it on most successfully. He is 
now one of the most promising and enterprising 
young men in the city.- All the members of his 
family are noted for their intelligence and worth. 
In connection with his market he keeps a large re- 
frigerator and ice house thus securing the best 
means of keeping liis meats. His shop is noted for 
being one of the neatest and liest kept in the city 



• ' *^ 



E^^ 



m 



111 AMES M(MAH()X. We are pleased to be 
able to give the sketch of another member 
of the ilcMahon family, which in its vari- 
ous representatives has added much to the 
wealth and prosperity of this ))art of the county. 
This gentleman was born in 1816 in County Down, 
in the North of Ireland, liis father, John, being a 
native of the same cf)unty where he carried on a 
farm. He came to America in 183,5 and made his 
w!iy at once to Michig.in, where he settled in Man- 
chester Township, bought a farm and lived upon it 
until his death at the age of sixty-one. 

The mother of our subject was known in maiden- 
hood as I'rsulla Carnahan, and she was of Scotch 
descent. She died in Ii'eLind when her son .Tames 
was still a little child, and left ten children to 
niouiii her loss, only three of whom are now sur- 
viving. Our suliject was the youngest child of the 
family .iiid deejily felt the loss of the mother. He 



was reared in his native home and remained there 
until he reached the age of fifteen years when he 
came to America in 183.5 and helped in clearing 
and cultivating the home farm. 

After the death of his father our subject worked 
li\- the month on the farms of neighbors for about 
six years and then purchased a farm, paying for it 
with the money which he had accumulated from 
his wages. His property comprised sixty acres in 
Sharon Township, and here he made his home 

I with his young wife Theodocia Merriman, to whom 
he was united in marriage April 8, 1844. She was 
born in Otisco Township. Onondaga County, N. Y.. 
February 29, 1824. Her father. Beuoni Merriman 
wa,s a native of Connecticut and her mother, Au- 

' gusta Danford. was born in Massachusetts. They 
came to Michigan in 184(1 and from that time un- 
til their earthly careers were ended they made their 
home in Manchester Township. The mother com- 
pleted her three-score years and ten, and the father 
survived until he was eighty-four years old. Mrs. 
^Ic^Malum has but one brother now living — (reorge 
Merriman — who resides in this township. 

He of whom we write remained upon his little 

I farm in Sharon Township for four jears and tlicn 

I disposed of it and purchased the one of two iiun- 
dred acres where he now resides. Most of it is 
imder cultivation and upon it are many excellent 
improvements. Every tree upon the jilace and all 
the improvements have been placed there by him. 
The house which is both comft)itable and attrac- 
tive was erected in 1860. Our subject feels that he 
has done his full share in the hard work of the 

! world and he has now retired fi'om active business 
and is letting others take his place in the severe 
labor of life. 

Six children were granted to our subject and his 
wife, namely: Charles A., who died at the age of 
three months; .lames B.. who was l)orn in Sharon 
Township, this county, and is a lawyer in Luding- 
ton. this State, and was at one time the .Judge of 
the Probate Court there; .John A., who died at the 
age of eleven j'ears; George P., who is in the insur- 
ance, farming and fruit business at Ludington; 
Charles D.. who has charge of the home farm, and 
Nellie T. the only daughter, who is the wife of Di'- 
II. W. Schmidt at Chelsea. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



393 



The declarations of the Republican party embody 
tht! [)olitical views of our subject, and his first Pres- 
idential ballot was cast for William Henry Harrison 
in 1840, and he and his sons had the pleasure of 
voting for the grandson of that President during 
the last presidential campaign. He was at one 
time engaged in shipping stock to Buffalo, N. Y. 
but does not now carry on that branch of business. 
The Presbyterian Church is the religious liody 
with which Mrs. MciMahon is connected. 



,^^\HARLES DWYER, who is the present ef- 
[li _ ficient Sheriff of Washtenaw County, was 
^^ born in J^exter Township, this county, 
August 17. 1847. He is a son of Morris Dwyer, 
who was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to the 
United States when a boy. He early took an ac- 
tive interests in local politics, casting his first vote 
after l)ecoming naturalized for Andrew .Tackson. 
He married Ann McCool, who was born in the 
North of Ireland. She was a daughter of C'harles 
."\IcCool, who was a native of Scotland. The mar- 
riage of our subject's i^arents took place in the 
city of New York, where tliey immediately after- 
ward settled and spent the following ten years. 
In 183.5 they removed to this county and located 
upon a farm in Dexter Township. The elder Mr. 
Dwyer made his purchase from the (Tovernment. 
The home farm was greatly improved liy our 
subject's parents, and was their home until the 
death of the father, wliich occurred September 18, 
1878. The mother followed him the succeeding 
year, her decease taking jilace in February, 1879. 
They were the parents of five children, there l)eing 
three bo.ys and two girls, all of whom are still . 
living. Charles Dwyer being the youngest of the 
family was perhaps more exempt from the duties 
incident to farm life than the other members of tlie 
family. He spent his school daj's in Dexter Town- 
ship and in v.acations and out of school hours as- 
sisted in the work of the farm, remaining at home 
iintil tlie deatli of his parental. 



After the decease of his parents oiu- subject 
liought out the equities of the other heirs and is 
now sole owner of the old homestead, which com- 
prises one hundred and twenty acres of fine land 
and good buildings. Mr. Dwyer rents the farm, 
and having good tenants, it brings him a comfort- 
alik' income. January 21, 1876, Mr. Dw^'er was 
united in marriage with Miss Kittie M. L^-mau, of 
Dexter Township, and a native of the same place. 
Her father, Thomas Lyman, was one of the early 
settlers there. A native of Ireland, he came to 
Washtenaw County when a young man and settled 
on a farm, which he conducted successfull3- for 
many years. 

Mr. and Mrs. lawyer are the parents of six chil- 
dren, w;hose names are as follows: Minnie A., i;d- 
ward L., William, Charles L., Francis and Katie. 
Our subject has always enjoyed the confidence 
and esteem of his fellow-citizens and has been en- 
trusted with many of the prominent positions of 
local office. He lias served as School Inspector of 
Dexter Township and was Supervisor for four 
terms. In the fall of 1888 he was elected Sheriff 
of his county on the Democratic ticket, assuming 
the duties of his office in January, 1889. In 1891 
he was re-elected with a majority of sixteen hun- 
dred and twenty, receiving a complimentary vote 
of about four liundred ahead of his ticket. 



-- ^^- 



}f}lLLlAU T. MANI.Y is ;i l;iniKTand stock- 
raiser of Superior Township, AVaslitenaw 
County. He was born in Canada in 183(5, 
but the greater jiortion of his life h.as been identi- 
fied with the growth and evolution of social, po- 
litical and natural life in Michigan, as he came 
here with his parents when two years of age and 
has spent the years since that time in this imme- 
diate vicinity, with the exception of three years, 
during which time he lived in Livingston County. 
The original of our sketch is a s(m of Elijah and 
Lois (Thomas) Manly. The former is a native of 
Chittington, Yt., there born in 1811. His mother 
w.as born in the Empire State in 1813. Mr. Manly 



3i>4 



POR'lRAir AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBU5I. 



was reared on the farm and received liis educa- 
tional advantages; in tlie district .scliuol in tlie vi- 
cinity of liis lionie. He l)egan life for liiniseif at an 
early age and In' liis; own efforts lias accumulated 
the comfortalile fortune which he udw enjoys. l[e 
is tlie proprietor of one liuiidied and tliirty acres 
of land in Salem and eighty acres in Superior 
Township, all of which is under an excellent state 
<if cultivation. He also has a good class of bouses 
upon his places and other buildings in harmony 
with tlie general tenor of the projierty. 

The original of our sketch is the second in order 
of birth in a family of four children, whose names 
art as follows: Sarah E.. who died when just bud- 
ding into womanhood, at the age of fifteen. Ful- 
lowing her conies our subject, then Eli S. and 
Charles IL. both residents of Ann Arbor, and both 
.soldiers in the late war, one having enlisted with 
the First Michigan Infantry and the other with 
the Twentieth Michigan Infantry. Eli lost an arm 
at Blue Springs, Tenn., and Charles lost his arm 
at Gettysburg. The accident to each was similar, 
as the left arm was shot away at the shoulder. 

Our subject united himself for better or worse 
at the age of nineteen with !Miss Helen Perry, a 
daughter of Shields Perry, a native of New York. 
I'nto Mr. and Mrs. Manly have been lioni two 
children — Mason W.. a resident now of (JrniKl 
Rapids, and Eva L.. the wife of Freeman Covert. 
wIki is a resident of Ann Arlxir. 



^tf OHN COSTEI>L(). Among the ivpiitablc 
men of Dexter who in their conduct of lius- 
iiiess matters and the duties belonging lo 
the various relations of life have accpilred a 
worthy name, we may well niention Mr. Costello. 
who has been in business of one kind and another 
in this city and its vicinity since he was tweiit\- 
years old. and has been known from his earliest 
childhood as worthy of the res|)ect and considera- 
tion of his neighbors. 

The nativity of this gentleman was in this vil- 
lage of Dexter, in 1S32, but bis parentage was from 



across the seas, as bis father, Kyraii. and his mother. 
Hannah (Ryan) Costello, were b(»th born on the 
gieen isle of Erin. They gave to their son the 
best oppoitunities for an education which could be 
attained in I^exter and he early turned to a bnsj- 
ne.>s life and exhibited almost before outgrowing 
his boylKMjd .a sound judgment and a keen enter- 
prise. 

At the age of twenty years John Costello opened 
a general store in l>extev and for a decade he car- 
ried this on successfully, winning friends and cus- 
tomers and having his full share of the trade of the 
place. He was in this business until 1H62 and 
then, in connecticm with Mr. Everts, he purchased 
the City .Mills of Dexter, which they kept under 
their control until August. 188(1. Here they car- 
ried on a succes.sful line of business in dry-goods 
.ind general merchandising. 

Mr. Costello also became grtatly interested in the 
.Seio Mills, which was situated uixui the river 
scjine three miles from Dexter. This mill was 
started in 1835, by S. W. Foster, who at the same 
time laid out and platted the village of Scio at the 
bend of the river, on sections 9 and 10. He bad 
great hopes that this would be a prosperous place, 
but it was almost too near to Dexter and the estab- 
lishnienl of a rival village, which is now called 
Delhi, two miles below, was a sutlicient b.arrier to 
lis growth. It has never became much more than 
a Immlet, but it bad great natural advantages, 
which may yet make it of value, as the water- 
power there is said to be the best on the Huron 
River, having a fall of some ten feet. .\s Mr. Cos- 
tello did not find that be could make a financial 
success of his business in Scio, be sold out and 
established himself in Dexter in the mercantile line. 

The marriage of our subject in I8t!4, to Mary 
.Villi H.arrie, daughter of .lobn and JMargaret Har- 
lie. brcnight to him eight children, four sons and 
four daughters; tmly live are now living — Mary 
E.. .losepliine, Alice R., -lobn and Kvran. 

Mr. and Mrs. Costello are devout and active 
members of the Roman Catholic Church and are 
much dejiended upon for efficient hel]) in all its 
enterjirises. Mr. Costello is a popular man among 
his fellow-citizens, and although he does not have 
the jiolitical strength of a man who is a strong 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



■M)r, 



|):iitv man, lie lias been tliree times elected Presi- 
dent of the Village Board and lias also served as 
Clerk and Treasurer of Seio Townsliip. lie is not 
connected with any political jiarty. luil uses lii,- 
individual judgment in deciding how he shall cast 
his liallot. and always designs to vote for the man 
wild will be most etticient in the discharge of the 
ilutics (if the office and most valuable to the citi- 
zens of the township. 



^'^11 



ERNEST P. COOK. He w'hose name afipears 
above among those of the representative 
' business men of the city of Ann Arbor, gives 

his attention to the livery and feed business, in 
wliidi lie has a large and flourishing trade. ]Mr. 
Cook, a native of this county, was born in .Salem 
Township, Aiiril 18, 1857. He is the eldest son of 
Darwin D. and Eliza B. (Murray) Cook. Our siili- 
jecl's maternal grandsire was Philemon Murray, 
who was one of the first settlers in Salem Town- 
sliii>. He was of Scotch descent. Darwin Cook 
was liorn in N'ermont, JkLirch 12. 1823, and was a 
son of Dr. Edward Cook, a native of New Eng- 
land. Darwin w.as married .Inly 4, 18.')2; his wife 
was born in Salem Township, this county. March Ki. 
1h;^.'). Darwin Cook was a soldier in the Mexican 
War. < )n his return he secured on his land war- 
rant a tract in Clinton County, this State. He was 
a photographer and traveled about the country 
with a cart equipped for this purpose, taking \nu- 
tures in the smaller town.s. On locating in Salem 
Towaiship he turned his attention to general farm- 
ing and stock-raising and there he lives at the 
|>resent time. 

The father of our subject traded his quarter sec- 
tion in Clinton County for a tract of forty acres 
off the old homestead in Salem Township, this 
I'ouiity. which has been well improved. His family 
comprises f(nir children, two sons and two daugh- 
ters. They are Ernest P., who is he of whom we 
write; Herbert ('., who is engaged as a merchant 
tailor nt ^Minneapolis. Minn.; Kate H., the wife of 
jleiiry (). \Valtei>. an eiiter|)rising fanner in \)n- 



kota, .and Gertrude A., who married Tid.sdale \'an 
Atta, also a resident of Minneapolis, in partnership 
with Ilerbeil in tlu' merchant tailoring business. 

Ernest P. Cook, as a lad, attenfled .school in 
Salem Township and worked on his father's farm 
until lifteen years of age. He then began working 
out by the month for himself, employing him.self 
in that way until his marriage. Our subject was 
married to Miss Mary J., a danghter of Benjamin 
and Mary Wright. Mrs. Cook was born in Clare 
County, this State. Her parents removed to North- 
field Township durmg her early maidenhood and 
where she afterward was engaged as a teacher. 
She was born May 6. 186(». Mr. and Mrs. Cook 
have two living children — Stella May and Bertha 
A'. A son, Clifford, died December 16, 1889. 

After marri.age our subject located upon the 
homestead tract, having one hundred and sixty 
acres in Ogemaw County. There they lived foi' 
six years, breaking during that time sixty acres of 
land. At the expiration of that period they .sold 
this place and removed to Oakland County, 
\\here they resided for two years. They then re- 
moved to .\nu Arbor and embarked in the livery 
business, securing his business here by trading his 
forty acres in Oaklami County. He here has a 
good barn and an excellent da.ss of vehicles with 
horses to suit the public taste. Mr. Cook owns 
two lots located in (iiand Mew .\ddition and .also 
some land in Cottage Hill .Addition. In his polit- 
ical .•sentiments our subject is a Democrat. Socially 
he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, 
and he and his wife are members of the Presbyte- 
rian Church 



^■^-^^<^# 



^ON. .lA.MES S. (iORM.VN. The ownerof a 
I) fine farm on section 26, Lyndon Townshiji, 
could well appreciate Browning's pertinent 
_^ question "Why stay we here on earth un- 
less to grow," for he is a man of high and noble 
aspirations, whose ambition is not sm.all nor selfish. 
He is a fine oratfir and s])eaker and takes an ac- 
tive interest in furthering the standing of the party 



396 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



in which he belongs. In private life he devotes 
himself to farming, having tliree hundred and sixty 
acres of choice land. He is a native of this county, 
having been ))orn on the farm whereon he now 
I'esides. December 2K. 18.511. 

Onr subject was reared a farmer lad and received 
the rudiments of his education in the district .'<chool. 
He is also a graduate of the High School at Chelsea, 
after which he entered the law department of the 
Michigan University, and was graduated therefrom 
in 1876. Prior to his graduation he taught school 
for several winters. After finishing his lawcoiu-se 
he formed a partnership with a Mr. I^arkerson 
under the name of I'arkerson it (Torman at Jack- 
son. This business relationship continued for three 
and a half years; he then retired to his farm and 
later opened a law ollice in Dexter, this county. 
in 1879. 

While in the last-named place Mr. (iornian was 
elected to the Lower House in 188(1. He served 
out his term and was then elected to the State Sen- 
ate in 1886, and, in 1888 was re-elected and in 1890 
was elected to the United States Congress from the 
Second Congressional Disti-ict. His parents were 
Peter and Catherine (Coulan) (rorman, the former 
came to this township in 1834, at which time he 
jjurchased some Government laud. He then re- 
turned to New York and worked until 18;?(!, when 
became back to Michigan and settled upon liis farm. 
beginning the work of improvement. 

Our subject's father was married in tliis county 
and after coming here made farming his life study: 
his decease occurred in 188(i when he left a wife 
and three sons. The mother is now living at the 
age of seventy-three years. The sons arc Edward, 
Peter and our subject. Edward, who was a Union 
soldier in the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois 
Regiment, served from August 18(;2, to .Iul\- IMC") 
and was commissi<med First Lieutenant, lie and 
his brother Peter are large farmers and are living 
one on either side of the old homestead. 

.lames S. Gormau, our subject, resides on the old 
homestead where he has always made his home, 
except while engaged in law practice at Jackson 
and Dexter. He has a large fine place and his farm 
is under a high state of cultivation. He turns his 
altcnlion mostly to raising grain but lias full- 



blooded .Jersey cattle and other Hue stock. Our 
subject was most happy in his marriage, liis union 
being with Miss Nellie E. Bingham of Dundee, 
this State, and the daughter of L. I), and Harriet 
(Edwards) Bingham. The former was a Union sol- 
dier and is now engaged in the mercantile business 
at Dundee. ( )ur subject has one son. Galbreth P. 
Mrs. (iurmau is a lady of unusual attainments. She 
is highly educated and is truly refined. She is a 
graduate of the Dundee High School and prior to 
liei- marriage was engaged as a teacher for several 
years. She is an accomplished musician and has 
done some good work in painting. Mr. (iormaii 
is a representative of the Democratic part\-. lie is 
a member of Rowena Lodge. Knights of I'ytliias. 
of .lackson. Mich. He is a prominent member of 
tlie Catholic Church. 



^^' 



yHJJS BENTOX. The gentleman of whom 
it is our pleasure and privilege to here 
^ ^ give a short biographical sketch was boni 
April '2,5, 1839, in Madison County, N. Y., and was 
nine yeai'S of age when his parents came to Michi- 
gan. He has ever since been a resident of this 
State and the county in which he now lives. He 
is a son of lOlijah B. Benton, whose father was also 
1<-Iijah Benton, a native of Massachusetts who in 
early days went to New York and settled on a 
tarni in Sherburne. ]\Iadison County, where he re- 
sided for forty years and being one of the pro- 
gressive jiioneers was accorded a prominent place 
in the otHcial life of the locality. In 184^i he came 
to Michigan and he with his son. that is the father 
of our subject, bought a farm in Lima Township. 
There he resided for eight years and there he and 
his wife died, the former in 1856 and the latter in 
1851. This lady was our subject's step-grand- 
mother, his grandfather having been married twice 
previous to the marriage here mentioned, the sec- 
ond wife being the mother of oui- subject's father. 
Mr. Benton's grandsire was a drover while living 
in New York and also devoted hiMi>elf to general 
fannina-. lie was drafted into the War of 1M12. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



397 



1ml sei'iuvd a substitute. Elij.nli B. Benton, our 
subject's father, was born \oveinl)er "22, 180!). in 
Sliei'burne, N. Y., and was a small boy when his 
parents moved to Madison County. 

Our snhject's father w.a.s reared on the home 
farm in Madison County and was there married to 
Miss Polly Cook, a dauohter of jVIoses H. Cook, a 
native of Connecticut but an early settler in New 
York where he died. I lis wife pas.sed awa\- some 
years later in a i)lacc near ChicaffO. 111. To f)ui- 
subject's parents were born five children, of 
whom AVillis w.as the eldest. There were four 
sons and one dau<^hter. As above related, Klijaii 
B., came with his father to Lima Township, 
this county, in 1848, and bought a farm in which 
he lived and died. He cleared about one-half of 
the estate and made great improvements, having 
been a hard-working man throughout his life. Al- 
though he was in demand in official positions, he 
positively declined all local office, leaving that to 
others who had less family responsibilities than did 
he. He was, however, interested in ])oliticai affairs 
and a true-blue Republican. 

On coming into the new State the original of 
our sketch worked with his father, assisting him in 
clearing and improving the farm until November, 
1866, when he was married to Miss Hattie DuBois, 
a daughter of Isaac and Lusippe DuBois. Her 
father was a native of Orange County, N. Y.. wiio 
had lived in Rochester a great many years .and 
who. coming to Michigan in 1864, settled on a farm 
in Dexter Township, thence removing to Ingham 
County where he remained till 1884. and then went 
to live with the subject of oiu- sketch, where he re- 
mained until his de.ath, which took place Septem- 
ber IT). 1890. The niollicr is still living at the age 
of seventy-five years. 

To our subject and his wife tlnce children have 
come — Etta E.. \Villis H. and Mary L. The last 
two only are surviving at the i)resent time. Mr. 
Benton bought the farm whereon he now lives in 
1868. It com])ri.ses one hundred and twenty acres 
in Dexter Township. He has put up(m it excel- 
lent buildings and has greatly improved the land, 
being a farmer who h.ns ideas of his own in regard 
to agricultural affairs, not content to accept the 
methods and traditions of othei-s. I'nliticalh- he is 



a Republican and one who is much interested in 
his party, liut who has ncxer aspired to hold local 
office. He, however, was appointed on the Drain- 
age Committee and for one year did most excellent 
service. 



m 



A:\IES E. ll.VHKINS deals in hardware of 
.all descriptions, Irom that which is used in 
building, to stoves of the latest kind and 

everything to use in a kitchen. He is the 

wholesale and retail dealer of his own invention in 
toasters and broilers and which are known as 
".lims." He also juits in furn.aces, pumps and gas- 
oline stoves. 

!Mr. Harkins is a native of this city, having been 
born in Ann Arljor June 3. 1859. His parents were 
Bernard and ^largaret (Kelly) Harkins. Both came 
from the Emerald Isle, emigrating to this country 
in youth, and first locating in the East. They 
were married in Syracuse, N. Y., where our sub- 
ject's father settled for a time .and engaged in 
the grocery business. He removed with his family 
to this State and settled in Ann Arbor in 1«45, 
continuing the grocery trade up to the time of his 
death, which took place in January, 1866, while he 
was in his sixty-second year. His wife still sur- 
vives and makes her home with our subject. She 
is a daughter of .lames Kelle\'. a native of the 
country who.se emblem is the shamrock. She is 
the mother of ten children, eight of whom lived to 
be grown and six of whom survive at the present 
time. Of these l\Ir. James E. Harkins is the young- 
est. 

Our subject p.assed his school days and young 
manhood in this city and after finishing in the gram- 
mar department became a student in the High 
School. When eighteen years of age he began 
learning the tinner's trade, entering the employ of 
.lohn Schumacher with whom he remained for nine 
yeans. In 1844 he launched into business for him- 
self, beginning, however, on a small scale on the 
site of his present stand, which is located at No. 



398 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL ALBUM. 



'2H E. Hufou Street. Here he has a fine .store that 
is 24x100 feet in dimensions. He carries a very 
full stock of the class of hou.se-furnishiug goods of 
wjiicli we have spoken. He makes a specialty of the 
Peninsular furnaces, whidi find a ready .sale in this 
locality. He also does a large amount of repairing. 
Our subject lias considerable inventive genius and 
has secured several patents upon articles in daily 
use. He is jiow interested in theHarkins A' Willis 
l)read toaster in which he has a large trade, having 
manufactured this article since .January 12, IHDO, 
and since that he has made over thirty-two thousand 
which have found ready sale to the joining ti'.ide. 
It is .said that talent does what it can; genius does 
what it must, and a-s we believe Mr. Harkins has 
real genius it may be expected of him in the fu- 
ture that he will add grcatiy to the conveniences 
and comforts of our modern living by his inven- 
tive power. 



--^^ 



'RANCI.S .STOFFI.KT. The gentleman who 
has so enticing an array of journals and 
periodicals at his store, which is most cen- 
trally located in the city of Ann Arbor, commends 
himself most agreeal)ly to its jjatrons, who .seldom 
leave his establishment ^unsatisfied. Mr. .Stofflet 
was born in Northampton County, Pa., on a farm. 
February 22, 1841. His jjarents were Levi and 
Anna E. (Meyers) StofHet. The former was a far- 
mer, who devoted himself to the pursuits of agri- 
culture in Northampton County, and there lived 
until 1874, at which time his decease occurred. 
His wife outlived him l>v a numlier of years, her 
death taking place in .Septemboi-, IHT'.t. 

Francis Stofflet is the eighth in order of birth of 
a family of twelve children, nine of whom attained 
years of maturity. Our subject entered the dis- 
trict school in his native county and there gained 
tlie rudimentis of his education. As did mo.st of 
the farmer lads of that section, he spent his sum- 
mers ill assisting his father <m tlie farm, and put in 
many a hard day in harvesting, under tiie lilazing 
Penns\ivaiiia sun. He (K'ciii)ied (lie wiiiteis. after 



I v>5" 



finishing his own course, in teaching .school, which 
he followed for twenty-six years in all. In 1863 
he enlisted in Company D. One Hundred and Fifty- 
third Pennsylvania Infantry, Col. Glanz being 
commanding otticer. His regiment was a.ssigned to 
duty with the Army of the Potomac and they took 
part in many of the celebrated liattles of that 
storm.N' period. Mr. StofHet was a participant in 
tlie battle of Ch.irlotteville and also at Gettysburg, 
in which he was wounded, being shot through the 
left elliow. iVs soon a.s lie was able to travel he 
was .sent home and afterward discharged from ser- 
vice (111 a surgeon's certificate. 

On recovering sufflcientl_v from the effects of his 
wound, our .subject .again engaged in teaching and 
continued in that profession up to 18(19. In the 
fall of the .same year lie came to Ann Arbor, and 
entering tlie I'nivei-sity of Michigan, devoted him- 
self to the stiid.\- of law and was graduated from 
that department in 1871. He afterward began 
teaching in Rochester, Oakland County this State, 
and followed it as a profession until 1877. 

On returning to Ann Arbor at the above-men- 
tioned date, the original of our .sketch began to 
print and publish the Ann Arbor Daily Times. 
One year later he discontinued the paper and 
res]iondcd to a recall to teach in Monee, W\]\ 
County, 111., where he remained for one year, hav- 
ing taught there three succes.'^ive seasons before. 
.\gaiu returning to Ann Arbor, he settled down per- 
manently and was engaged in printing and clerk- 
ing until 1881, when he embarked in the mercan- 
tile bu.siness, in i)artnership with W. D. Adams, with 
the firm name of .Stofflet iVr Adams. One year later 
our subject bought out his partner's interest and 
continued the busine.ss for six years, at the end of 
which time he sold out and then started the news 
depot at No. 12 North Main Street, where he car- 
ries a fine stock of the principal papers and maga- 
zines of the day. including the popular month- 
lies of London and Paris. 

On Augu.'^t 13. 1873. Mr. .Stofflet was married to 
Miss Mary .\. Si)r.igue, of Rochester, this .State. 
She was a daughter of RoUin Sprague. of that 
place. Her parents came, the father from New 
York and the mother from Detroit. .Mr. and 
.Mrs. Stofflet have four children. wIiom- unines are 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



399 



Klmer M.. Ihnvey, Ri^u.-i iiiid Claude. Our .subject 
and his wife are meniliers nl' tlie Congregatioiial 
Cliurcli. Politically lie of whom we write isa J'ro- 
liiliitioii Republican. Their residence, which is lo- 
cated nl No. (). Lawrence Street, is a tine striicture. 
which is nioilern in style of architecture and in 
supply of conveniences. Il i> well fnrnishc(l .-uid 
makes a pleasant home. 



;^^EgEBgM:aiB iZ~~ ' ~ ■ 



ERASTl'S p. MASON. The Superintendent 
of the P<K)rl'"arm who initiiirates to as great 
: a degree as po.ssilile the miseries of the un- 
fortunate inmates of that institution, is lie whose 
name appears above. He was born in the town of 
Barry, Orleans County, X. Y.. May S. l,s->7. ,iis 
father was Pasciial Mason, a nati\-e of \einiont. 
but wlu> had spent many years in New York. He 
was born in the beginninii' of the nineleenth cen- 
tury. Our subject's paternal grandsire was .losialj 
Mason, also a native of \'erniont. and of English 
stock. Our subject's mother was prior to her mar- 
riage a Mi.ss Harriet Warner, a native of New York 
who was liorn in 1H{)7. She was a daughter of 
Enos Warner, whose family was of Irish ancestry. 
Our subject's parents were married in Orleans 
County and there settled. In 1832 they removed 
to Michigan, coming hither via Detroit and located 
in Nankin Township. Wayne County, where they 
remained for eighteen years. They then removed to 
SalemTownshi]) thiscouuty,and here carried on gen- 
eral farming for a lonif time. In 18(jl they removed 
to Ann Arbor and our suliject's father here died in 
187;"), his wife surviving a number of years, her 
decease occurring in 1888. 

He of whom we writ* is one of four children 
born to his parents. There were three sons and 
one daughter whose names are as follows: Betsey 
E., Erastus 1'., .lohn \>'., and Josiah E. The third 
son was a physician at l>nudee, wliere he died. 
Betsey still remains unmarried and occupies the 
old homestead. Josiah E. lives in North Dakota. 
Our subject was about five years of age wlieu his 
parents came to Michiiran. so that his school life 



Iiegan about that time, lie altemlcd school ii, the 
town of Nankin, where the advantages wcic limited 
and crude. 

.Mr. JLison assisted liis father with the work of 
the farm until he had reached his majorit\ . and in 
fact did not leave the home nest until he had 
reached hi.s twenty -sixth year, when he was married 
to ^li.ss Catherine C. Merrick of Salem Townshij). 
She was a daughter of Elijah Merrick, a natixe of 
New York. Mrs. Mason was born in this Stale. 
•Vfter marriage the young couple settled in Nankin 
and made that their home for eight years, raean- 
time engaging in general farming. Our subject 
removed to Ann Arbor in l«7t; and took up his 
residence at No. 49 Pontiac Street To .Mi-. and 
Mrs. Mason have been given the care and the loving 
responsibility of two children — l.ydin ('.. who is 
the wife of Oscar Tucker and now resides in Mil- 
waukee. Wis., and Knb\-, now deceased. 

The original of our sketch has served in \aiious 
capacities in the public offices of the county. He 
was Commissioner of Drainage and has been thus 
connected for the past five years, at the same time 
being Superintendent of the Poor Farm. Politi- 
call\- he is a Democrat and is a zealous upholder 
of the policy and ])roject of his partx'. He is a 
member of the Patrons of llusbandr\. 



^1^1^ 



PED SIl'LEY. The man who stands at the 
head of the brave laddies to protect the 
homes and property of the citizens of Ann 
Arbor from the horrors of fire, is he whose name is 
given aljove. Mr. Si[)ley is a native of thiscountx' 
and was born in this city, March H. 1852. hence it 
may be seen that he is still in the tlush of first 
manhood, with years before him in which to ripen 
and mellow. Our subject is the fifth in order of 
birth of nine children who were born to his parents 
and eight of whom are living at the present time. 
He is a son of .lohn F. :ind Catherine (Maier) Sip- 
ley, both of whom were born in (ierinany. 

Our subject's parents emigrated to the I'niied 
States about 184;5. and proceeded at <inceto Wash- 



400 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



tenaw County, settliiiu ii] Ann Arbor. Our sub- 
ject's mother died in 1H,S7 when in her seventy- 
third year. Fred Sipley was reared at home and 
was educated in the scliools of Ann Arbor, where 
he pursued his studies until sixteen years of age. 
At that time he liegan to learn the tinner's trade, 
being in tlie employ of J^eas & Flemming for tive 
years. Aftei'wai'd he worked for other ])arties in 
Ann Arbor, devoting in all eleven years to the 
tinner's trade. 

Our subject subseipicntly went to the northern 
part of the State where he became engaged in the 
lumber business and had a mill for making lumber, 
lath and shingles. Returning to Ann Arbor he was 
ajjpointed on the police force and was so engaged 
for two years, being patrolm.in during that time 
and the three years following he acted as Chief of 
police,and when reappointed in 1889 he resigned his 
position in order to accept the office of Chief of 
the fire department, being also Superintendent of 
the city poor. 

Socially our subject is ctmnected with Osteningo 
Lodge, No. 295, 1. (). (). F. In his political views 
he leans to the Democratic party and gives that 
the weight of his influence and vote. When in 
Lake County our subject was elected Commissioner 
of Higliways and for two years acted as Deputy 
Sheriff, the Sherilf being at the time .T. J. Robin- 
son. Mr. Sipley is a hale fellow well met with the 
choice spirits of the time and is a loyal citizen and 
a good chief of the department of which he h.as 
charge. 



AMES II. MARTIN. Section l.'i. ujion which 
is the farm owned by our subject, is bisected 
by the Saline River, which winds its way in 
serpentine folds that charmingly l)reak the 
monotony of the landscape. Here Mr. Martin 
has one of the finest farms in the township, having 
spared no expense or trouble in draining and im- 
proving his place and in the erection of excellent 
buildings. A native of this county, Init born in 
Manchester Townsh i]), the natal day of our subject 
was April 4, 184;"). He is a s<in of Samuel Martin, 



who was a native of North Ireland, there born Sep- 
tember 11. 1816. He was brought by his parents 
to America when but nine years of age and was 
reared in St. Lawrence County. N. Y.. until 1836, 
j when he tame to ^Michigan, locating first in Detroit, 
where he was engaged in work on a farm by tlu- 
month, thence went to Beloit, Wis., where he re- 
I rnained for two years and was in Chicago when it 
I was a village no more promising than many other 
' villages on the frontier at that time. From Wis- 
1 eonsin the senior Mr. Martin returned to Detroit, 
I where he was married to our subject's mother. 
I Mary Myles, a native of Ireland. The young cou- 
ple went togethei- to New York and thence to Man- 
chester in 1H41, where they located on a farm on 
section 23. 

About 18;)! our subject's father bought the farm 
upon which he remained as long as he lived, spend- 
ing his latter days with our subject from 1871 un- 
til the time of his death, .July 7, 1889. Politically 
he was a Republican and a meniljer of the In ion 
League. Our subject's mother died in 18.53. They 
were the parents of six children, four s(ms and 
two daughters, two of whom died in infancy and 
three of whom survive at the pi-esent time. 

He of whom we write is the second child and son 
boin to his parents and was reared in Manchester 
Township. He remained with his father until he 
bought his own farm and then his father made his 
home with him. Mr. IMartin was married March 
20, 1872, to Miss Harriet Johnson, a native of this 
State and born in Bridgewater Township, August 
11,1851. Our subject located first on the old 
homestead which he had bought of his father and 
there remained, devoting himself to general farm- 
ing until 1880 when he moved to the place where 
he now resides, having .sold his former place. 

Mr. Martin located where he now lives in 1887. 
He rented his place .and moved to Manchester vil- 
lage, remaining there for three years, during which 
time he took two trips to Montana and Idaho and 
was gone eight months, his wife accompanying him 
in order to see the wonderful country of the North- 
west. Our subject returned to his farm in .June, 
1890 and has since given it his attention. He is 
the owner of one hundred and fifty acres here. 
On his return he found the place much r\in down. 



// 





'c^rrze\ T^^:^y7/7^^' 



l/{jUr~~^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



403 



there not being- a gate on the place, but he has set 
himself with energy to re-arranging and impioving 
and has jiut nine thousand feet of tile on the farm 
and lias put it generally in good shape. He and 
his good wife have been denied the comfort of 
children in their family but their hearts are < )ien 
to the sorrows and cares of others. 



--S?A^i^'i53S$);.^ •' 



#!#^li-^"i^Si^^i%g=^ 



\I^ OHACE t'ARPE^TP:H. (Jne of the vener- 
rj) able and venerated residents of Ann Arbor, 
/|i^ whose life has been spent in doing good to 
i^j others and in upholding the rights of all, 
was Ixjrn in Locke, Cayuga County, N. Y., Decem- 
l>er 1, 1H0.5. His parents, Ezra and Lucy (Peren) 
Carpenter, were natives of Massachusetts, the father 
being born in .Vttleburv and lieing a son of Ezra 
Carpenter, Sr.. who was one of the heroes of the 
Revolutionary War. Tiie father of our subject was 
also one of the defenders of his country and served 
during the War of 1812 as a soldier. He was also 
a surveyor and his compass which was made in 
179(1, is now jn-eserved in the University of Michi 
gan by Professor Davis, of the surveying depart- 
ment. 

It was ill 1 71)8 that tiie parents of our subject 
were united in marriage, and Ijegan married life in 
Massachusetts. Sul)sequeutly, in 180.3, they re- 
moved to the wilds of New York. Then being 
seized with the Western fever, they determined 
to come to Midiigan. making the journey in the 
spring of 182(> and landing May 12 at Detroit. 
The son Horace accompanied his father in his jour- 
neyings about and they were so well pleased with 
the beautiful timber land which they found in 
Washtenaw County that they determined to make 
this their home. They settled in Pittsfield Town- 
shi]j and at once proceeded to erect a log house. The 
elder Mr. Carpenter was a sui'veyor in New York 
but gave all his instruments to his son Horace, who 
often made use of them. Hordes of Indians roamed 
through the woods and the lad well remembers his 
friendly iuteicourse with them. The father pro 



' cured two hundred and forty acres of land, which 
he cleared and began cultivating. 

He was an earnest and conscientious member of 
the First Presbyterian Ch\u'ch of Ann Arlwr and 
was soon elected Elder, which office he faithfully 
discharged until the autumn of 1829, when he re- 
moved his church relationship to the new church 
at Ypsilanti, where he gave his services faithfully 
to its upbuilding until his death, February 17, 
1841. He was a man of true benevolence and 
faithful and earnest Christian spirit, and his loss 
was sadly mourned throughout "fair W^ashtenaw." 
His wife had preceded him to the spirit world in 
1837, leaving four sons and four daughters to 
mourn her loss, half of whom liave now followed 
her to the other world. 

The brothers and sisters of our subject were Ly- 
man, a physician, who died in California; Esther, 
widow of Andrew Coryell, now residing in Ridge- 
way, Lenawee County, and although in her nine- 
tieth year, is full of activity and usefulness; Justus 
died in Minnesota in his seventy-eighth year; Sarah 
died when a young lady; Harriet M. died in 1842; 
Ezra, now a resident of Kalamazoo, is general 
niiinager for the Cahill <t Co.'s factory for the 
manufacture of agricultural implements. 

Hor.ace Carpenter passed his youth in Locke, N. 
Y.. and received his schooling under the super- 
vision of Mr. Cobb, the author of C'obb's Spelling- 
Book, which was next to Webster's a standard 
work in the old days. Upon reaching his majority 
he was united in marriage witli Miss Celia Bradley, 
of his native town, a daughter of Philo Bradley. 
This was the year when the young man tried the 
wilderness of the West with his father and decided 
to settle upon a farm and follow the carpenter's 
trade, which he had learned in Xew York. He 
put up the first building that was erected in the 
village of Saline and also a large barn for Luther 
Boyden, in Webster Township, following carpentry 
for about fifteen years. In 1862 he was elected 
Treasurer of Washtenaw County, serving one term, 
which consisted of two years and three months. 

After retiring from this position Mr. Carpenter 
bought a half interest in three thousand acres of 
pine lands, which he subsequently sold before their 
i-ise in v.ilue, and thus "escaped," as some of his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AL15L .M. 



friends have said, beint; :i very rich man thnniuh 
their great value, which ^va^^ soon developed. 

Mrs. Celia Carpenter died in 1H7H and the sec- 
ond marriage of our subject occurred iu 1879. when 
he was united on the 1st of October with Mrs. Ann 
A. Stephens, the widow of Oscar C Stephens, of Lodi 
Township. She was born in (ieneva, N. Y.. and 
emigrated to this county at an early day. She is a 
most estimable lady and one well fitted to be the 
helpmate of this worthy and honoraijle citizen. 
The grounds upon which the home of Mi-. Carpen- 
ter is situated comprise three acres on Washtenaw 
Avenue, and in that home is found true happiness, 
because it is the abode of those whose lives have 
been pure and true and who have spent their days 
in acts of justice and kindness to others. 

Mr. Carpenter was a member of the Free Soil 
party in early times and allowed his name to be 
used as their candidate for Sheriff when only six 
pereons voted that ticket in Washtenaw Count\'. 
For many j-ears he was a Supervisor and in l><(i2 
was elected County Treasurer. At that time he 
removed to Ann Arbor, which has since been his 
home. He was ever a firm believer in Anti-.Slaverv 
doctrine and did much in liuilding up public sen- 
timent in favor of the alwlition of that great evil. 
He was at one time candidate for Senator on tlie 
Whig ticket. On tlie oi-ganization of the Kei)ul)- 
lican party he joined liauds with those leaders and 
has cast his vote with them, having helped to ek^'t 
both the Presidents Harrison. In connection witli 
Mr. Kenney he founded the Washtenaw County 
Mutual Insurance Company; he is a life member of 
the County Agricultural Society and was its Presi- 
dent for three years. 

The Pioneer Society of Waslitcnaw County owes 
much to Mr. Carpenter, who is a member of the 
Historical Committee. He was the first Cajitain of 
State Militia in Pittsfield Township, this county. 
His company was three times called out during the 
Toledo war, and he had command of his regiment 
for a time. For many years he was a memlter of 
the Presbyterian Church, as was also his present 
wife, but he now attends the Congregational 
Church at Ann Arbor. Althougli he has reached 
his eighty-sixth year, he is hale and hearty and 
still retains much of his old mental .Miid physical 




vigor, yet we know that before many years his 
footstejis will be heard no more and that this friend 
of the i)oor and needy, the slave and oppressed, 
will pass on to his eternal reward, but his memory 
will live lu'iiind Inni. for "tlie good die not." 

In connection with this liiographical notice the 
reader will lind a lithograiihic |)ortrnit of Mr. 
Carpentei-. 



[(, KNRV Rlt lIAUDSis now a resident of Ann 
Arbor, Mich., having come here from Ire- 
.•md, where he was born December 4, 1845. 
He is the eldest son of Solomon and Mar- 
tiia .1. (Moore) Richards. Onr subject emigrated 
to this country when he was twenty years old, 
and engaged in farming in Washtenaw County. 
His father died in 1888. His wife who survived 
him still lives on the old homestead in Germany, 
the parents never coming to the United States. They 
were the parents of thirteen children, twelve of 
wliom are now living. 

After landing in Xew York, our subject made 
iiis way Westward as far as Detroit where he made 
a short visit with some friends, coming directly 
from there to this county, where he worked on a 
farm by the month for six months. He than en- 
tered into jiartnership with some parties in run- 
ning a threshing machine. He enlarged his busi- 
ness still farther by renting a farm, and engaging 
in general agricultural pursuits for several years 
with good success, when he concluded to change 
his business, sold out his stock and farming inter- 
ests and removed to the city of Ann Arbor where 
he purcliased a wood yard of Z. Sweet, continuing 
the business at the same place. 

In addition to this he went largely into the 
luml)er liusiness having bought eighty acres of 
woodland and built a sawmill on the land and 
sawed most of the timber. One year ago he sold 
his mill, closing out that part of his business. He 
still handles all kinds of lumber at his yard. 

^Ir. Richards was united in marri.age in 1872 to 
Miss Maria Sjilev. of Saline villaae. this covintv. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



405 



wlio is .1 (lauylitfr of t'liiistiau Salcv. IJotli of her 
l)arent!< came from (Jermany. Our .-ulijcft is a 
mi'uilK'r of AVashtenaw Lodge Xo. !', 1. O. (). F., 
He owns four residences on Hill and White Streets. 
His residence is situated at No. 40 Thompson 
Street. He is a worthy citizen of liis adopted land 
and mncli resjiccted liy nil witli whom he comes in 
cuntMcl. 






,^f^'! EORGK S. PECIvENS. It is a trite obser- 
vation that "There is no royal noad to for- 
tune." and this just statement is fully veri- 
fied by a study of the lives of the pioneer farmers 
of Michigan. When such a man as George S. 
Peckens start* out for himself as he did, with no 
pecuniary help and with no fortune except good 
health, robust strength, and yet succeeds in secur- 
ing a fine property and that degree of competence 
which allows him to retire from business and live 
in comfort, we can surely realize that the old say- 
ing has not outgrowTi its lease of life. 

The father of our subject was David Peckens. a 
native of JMassachusetts, a farmer by occupation 
and a soldier in the War of 1812. His mother w.as 
born in the same State and liore the name of Ex- 
perience Pierce. .\^fter marriage they removed to 
Vates County, X. Y., at an early day and put a 
large amount of im])rovement upon tlieii- farm, 
but suffered the misfortune incident to a defective 
title and had to leave this which had promised to 
be their permanent home. In \H20 Mr. Peckens 
W.1S injured by a runaway team whicli injury re- 
sulted in his death a few days later. His wife was 
left with eleven children to care for and educate, 
the eldest being about twenty years old and the 
youngest only eleven months. The misfortune 
wiiich had overtaken them left her witli neither 
means nor property. 

The thii'd son in age took some land on shares 
and took his mother home to keep house for him, 
and thus she remained for a number of years. Later 
she made her home with her married children anil 



came to ^lichigan in 183.5. where she lived with 
lur son Alexander until her death. She w.as a 
conscientious member of the Baptist Church and a 
useful woman. Of her large family not one is now 
living but our subject. Two f)f her sons, Samuel 
S. and Alex.ander settled in 1H84 in Freedom 
Township and lived there for thirty years, but 
both of them have now p.assed away and none of 
the members of their family are living in that 
township. 

He of whom we write wiis born November 8, 
1819, in Yates County, N. Y., and as he was the 
youngest of the family he was but a babe when de- 
prived of his father's care and affection. He early 
le.arned to make himself useful about the farm and 
to be helpful in many ways. When twelve years 
old he used to ride a horse while leading the oxen 
in plowing, and for this he received a shilling a day 
and fed on mush and milk three times a day. Dur- 
ing the next year he hired out .as chore boy to a 
tanner for a few months at 85 per month and 
•■bunked" in a box just large enough to hold the 
growing boy. He stayed here for four months and 
received $10 from the man and it was not until 
four ye.ars later that he received the other 810 
which was grudgingly paid to him in poor cloth to 
cancel the debt. 

With ^10 in cash the boy now undertook to 
make his wiiy to Michig.an and making his home 
with his brother Alexander he worked for him for 
a year and received 840. It w.as in 1835 that he 
came to ^lichigan and during his second year here 
he w-.as hired by his brother Samuel for eight 
months at 88 a month with the privilege of staying 
the other four months and working nights and 
mornings for board and going to school. He re- 
mained six years with that brother receiving all 
the way fi-om 88 to 813 in wages a month. After 
that he undertook threshing and other miscel- 
laneous work. He then bought a half interest in 
a thresher and worked some land on shaies. 

Having bought eighty acres and a log house on 
section 5, Freedom Tow-uship, and having im- 
proved the land, the young man took to himself a 
wife upon the 2nd of September, 1852, choosing as 
his hel|)mate Cornelia, daughter of Nathan and 
Chloe Kendall, natives of Connecticut. They came 



406 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



to ]\Iifliigaii at an early day and rented a farm in 
Freedom Township, this county, afterward settling 
in the northeastern part of Jackson County, and 
later returned to this county. Both parents are now 
deceased, but their four children are still living. 
Mrs. Peckens was born, February '11, 1827, in Con- 
necticut and the children which blessed her home 
are Alice, wife of Fred Lehman and the mother of 
six children; Nathan II. who lives at home; Ella, 
now Mrs. G. Beutler. of this township, and Nettie, 
wife of Charles Chadwick, a student in the I'ni- 
versit}-. To all of this household our subject gave 
a good common-school education. 

Since 1867, when Mr. Peckens left Freedom 
Township, he has resided upon his present farm 
which consists of one hundred and forty acres of 
plowed land and one hundred and eighteen acres 
in meadow and pasture. Here he carried on gen- 
eral farming and has added good l)uildings to the 
estate. He has never l)een connected with any 
church organization, but his daughters are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His early 
political preferences brought him into the Whig 
party and of late years he has affiliated with the 
Republicans. He has been a hard iind steady 
worker all his life and is a genuine farmer. He 
commenced with his bare hands and at a tendei' 
age, and the ground work of his success lay in his 
getting his first piece of land and tlie iiractice of 
economvand thrift. 



i>^^<m 



.^^■^IIOMAS E. SHANKLAND, one of AVashte- 
naw County's oldest settlers and most hon- 
ored citizens, was boin in Onondaga Coun- 
ty, N. Y., in 1827 and three years later was 
brought by his parents to Washtenaw County, 
where they located in what is now Northfield 
Township, and since the time of his coming here 
his home has been within two miles of where his 
present residence is. As a boy he I'eceived educa- 
tional advantages to be attained in the district 
schools in the vicinity of his home. He grew to 
manhood and developed his physical strenglli by 



agricultural effort and exercise on his father's 
farm. Early in life, however, he learned masonry 
which he worked at for fouiteen years in different 
part*! of the county-. 

Our subject was the oldest of a family of eight 
children who grew to mature yeai's; they are in 
order of birth as follows: He of whom we write; 
then Caroline, who is now the wife of Ira Root of 
Salem Township; William who died in this county 
leaving one daughter to his widow; Arabclle be- 
came the wife of Uavid L. Botsford; the third .son 
is James, then Andrew who resides in Salem 
Township; \'eder, a resident of Dixburough and 
Margaret who married Warner Hart. These are 
the children who were born of the unitm of Robert 
and Arabelle (Bennett) Shankland, natives of 
Rensselaer County, N. Y.. born in 17iH and 1H02 
respectively. 

Roltert Shankland was a son of William H. 
Shankland, who. was one of the tive .-ions of Will- 
iam II. Shankland who came from Irel.and before 
the Revolutionary War, and father and sons took 
an active part in the struggle for independeiice. 
Tiieir settlement was made in Rensselaer County 
on first coming here and from there they scattered 
out over the country. Originally the Shanklands 
were followers of Bruce and Wallace in tlieir strug- 
gle in Scotland and when they were defeated, scat- 
tered. The branch of which our subject is a de- 
scendant located in Ireland, where they changed 
their name, which was originally ]McC4regor.and in 
all probability thev took their name from the lo- 
cation that they made which was on what is known 
in Ireland as shanks of land, and history records 
that as they dared not give their own names, 
being refugees from Scotland, thev took the one 
they now bear. Robert Shankland was in the Wai- 
of 1812 and held the office of Orderly Sergeant, 
being located the first year of the war at Sackett's 
Harbor and for six months at Oswego, seiving in 
all for a period of eighteen months. 

Robert Shankland came to Washtenaw County 
in 1880 and was a remarkably active man all his 
life. His decease occurred at the age of ninety-five 
years and he was at that time in full possession of 
all his faculties. Our subject. Thomas Shankland. 
was mariied in 1 H;')!!, to Miss Oelilaii ISIoore. I'nto 



PORTRAir AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



407 



tlu'iii li.'ivc lieiMi iHini three eliildreii — Alice S..wlio 
is the wile of .liulsoii Austin of S:ilein; Kdith. who 
nianietl rerrv Towiiseiid; mikI Minnie. .Air. 
■Shankland has aiveu liis daiii;liters the advantages 
of an excellent education. The two tildest are 
graduates of the State Noraril School at Ypsilanti. 
Our subject is a stanch Democrat and one who has 
been recognized as a leader in every worthy enter- 
)>rise that has been broachecl in this counts'. 



\f AMES K. HAC'li. The popular and genial 
dealer in real estate and agent for various 
iusurauce companies, whose name appears 
\^y above, is a resident of Ann Arbor, and soci- 
ally and commercially ranks high among the best, 
most progressive and advanced people of the city. 
He is a son of Philip and Nancy (Royce) Bach, of 
whom a sketch may l)e found under the more com- 
plete history of Philip Bach in another portion of 
this work. Our subject was born in the city of 
.\nn Arbor, September 7, 1859. His father, who is 
.'it the present time a prominent merchant of this 
city, was one of the early settlers of Washtenaw 
County, having come from (Jermany in 1829. 
After a few years spent in Pennsylvania he re- 
moved to Michigan in IM.i;"). w-hile the country was 
still a Territory. 

The original of our sketch acquired his educa- 
tion in tlie excellent .schools of Ann Arbor, finish- 
ing his course at the High .School. On leaving 
school he went to Milliugton. this State, and was 
there engaged as manager for the firm of Pebacli 
it Co., merchants. With them he remained for six 
years and then removeil to St. Louis, this State, 
wlieri' he engaged in the clothing business on liis 
own accovnit. He si)ent two years at that place 
thus interested, and at the expiration of that time 
returned to his native place and entered the store 
of Bach A- .Vbel. .\fter engaging for two years in 
this way in IS.sT lie launched into the ri'al estate 
:ind insiu'ance business. 

In the insurance business .lainis li. llaeh insures 



against fire, life and accident. He is agent for 
both local and Eastern companies and probably se- 
ciu'es as large an amount of patronage as any man 
in the county. AVherever our subject has been lo- 
cated he has always enjoyed the confidence and 
respect <if the townspeople and lias been given 
evidence of the estimation in which he is held. 
While in ^lillington he was elected Village Trustee 
and also served as Township Clerk. In the spring 
of 1888 he was City Recorder for .\nn Arbor and 
in the spring of 188il was elected City Clerk for a 
tei'in of two years. 

An ardent Democrat in his political belief and 
afttliations, that party has honoied our subject by 
appointing him .Secretary of the Washtenaw County 
Democratic Committee and in this capacity he does 
excellent service. He is, moreover. Secretary of 
the Washtenaw County Agricultural .Society. Soci- 
ally, he belongs to the Golden Rule Lodge, of the 
Free and Accepted Masons, and to the Washtenaw 
Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons. He is, more- 
over, a member of the Ann Ai'lior Commandery of 
K. T., and belongs to the I'nion Council at Ypsi- 
lanti. 

Mr. Bach was married September 23, 1880, to 
Miss Blanche Tremaiiie,of this city. She is a daughter 
of Warren Tremaine. Our subject and his wife have 
been blessed in tlieir union and have a most happy 
home. One daughter, Lois, has come to them and 
is the object of the fond pride and affection of both 
parents. Both our subject and his wife are meivi- 
bers in good standing of the Episcopal Church. 



]^h!h^[ 



OHN B. SMITH, deceased. There are many 
instances to be found in the history of Salem 
Township, Wa.shtenaw County, where one 
who began as a poor man, working for his 
neighbors on a small salary by the month has at 
last succeeded in gaining a handsome property. 
This is the case with him of whom we write as l)y 
frugality and economy he early in life acquired a 
competency and at the time of his death owned a 
l)eautiful farm of eighty acres that he had pur- 



408 



POKTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



chased of the Government and which was origin- 
allj- school land. This propert}- he has left in the 
hands of his wife who is an excellent business 
woman. 

Our subject was horn in (iorliani County. N. Y.. 
in 1H26 and when a child of three years he came 
to Michigan with his parents and settled in Ypsi- 
lanti where he grew to mature ^■ears and married 
Miss Susan Hammond, a native of Orleans County. 
N. Y., who came with her parents to Washtenaw 
County, in the year l«ai. To them were born two 
sons — W. Herbert and John II. 

It was in the spring of 1851 tliat Mr. Smith pur- 
chased the farm where his widow now resides and 
upon it he resided until liis death which took place 
in September, 1890. He was a son of Ephraim 
Smith who died when our suljject was an infant 
and he therefore never knew a father's care. 

The parents of Mrs. Susan Smith were Dennis 
and Sally (Dodd) Hammond who were born in 
Oneida County. X. Y. jNIr. Hammond was a son 
of Daniel and Rhoda (Styles) Hammond, who are 
supposed to have been natives of New York. The 
tine estate left by ^Ir. Smith is lieing thorouglily 
cultivated by his widow and his two s(jns. who 
have everything in first-class order and under ex- 
cellent cultivation. Tlie land is prolific in the 
standard crops and yields a good income. 



/M RS. ELLEN THERESA ALLEY. This 
lady, prominent in social and agricultural 
i-K circles, is the widow of Burton Alley and 
the daughter of Enos N. and Sarah 
(l'hc!p<) Carr. Mr. Carr was liorii in Vermont 
and came to Washtenaw County with his father 
Roger and his mother Hannah (Newman) Carr, 
who located in 1833 four miles west of Dexter in 
DextLn- Township. The family consisted of two 
sons, Enos and Elijah, and three daughters, M.a- 
rissa who married Julius Crittenden of Saline; 
Melissa, who married Reulien 1{. Sinitli of Romeo; 
and t litirlotte, who became .Mr.s Chirk Perry. 
Elijah niniried tiarriet DudU-v in Dexter and re- 



moved to Illinois some thirty years ago. All of 
this family have now passed from life. The 
grandfather of Mr. Alley lived but a shcjrt time 
after coming to this State Init his widow survived 
for many years and reached the extreme age of 
ninety-one. 

Euos and Sarah (Phelps) Carr were manied in 
Dexler, .Septemter 28, 1833. The wife was liorii 
December 2, 1814, and the husband October 29, 
1804. Tlie parents of Mrs. Carr were Ebenezer 
and Lynia (Story) Phelps. Enos Carr secured 
Government land west of Dexter and improved a 
farm of eighty acres, upon which he lived until 
18()5 when he came to Dexter and there completed 
his earthly career, passing from earth December 22, 
1870. His widow survived him for twenty years, 
dying September 18, 1890. Their family consisted 
of three children. Levi \V., Ellen Theresa and .\de- 
line Melissa. 

Levi Carr married Mary Sumner of Lindon 
Township and is a contractor and builder in Hast- 
ings. Adeline lived at home until her mother's 
death .and now resides with Mrs. Alley. Ellen 
Theresa was united in marriage with Burton Alley 
January 3. 1860. He was a son of John and Sarah 
(liiill) Alley. The former was born in Steuben 
County. N. Y., March 7, 1808, and was a son of 
William Alley of Moravia. Cayuga County, N, Y., 
and his grandfather was a native of Scotland. 
This grandfather was the parent of fifteen children 
and none of his sons or grandsons came to Michi- 
gan except John, the father of Burton Alley, wlio 
came hither in 1833. 

.lohn Alley was a practical book-keeiJer and at- 
tended to much business of this kind foi' dilTerent 
firms while still retaining his home upon the farm. 
He at first settled in Ann Arbor on propert}- now 
used by the I'niversity, but soon after removed to 
AVebster Township. As he w.as an expert in book- 
keeping the organizers of the Washtenaw County 
Mutual Fire Insurance Company came to him to 
have him make out their first .set of books, which 
he did in excellent style. He died December 2;'). 
1863, and his widow survived until August 21, 
1888, wlien .<he died in her eighty-first year at 
Peru, Ind., at the h<mse of a daughter. The chil- 
dren of this venerable mother and her good hus- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



409 



band John Alley were as follows: .lanies. .[nlm. 
George, Hiirtoii. Stei)lieii, lA'aiiiler I).. MMiioii. 
Laura, Ambrosia and Sarah, and six of Ihiiii art- 
still living-. 

Burton Alley was a man of more Ihaii onlinary 
business ability and sueeess. lie loved business 
from early boyhood and even wlieji he was a ehild 
his plays were all (ni the mercantile order, and he 
longed to be a man so that he might -sell goods." 
His first clerkship was in the drug business for Dr. 
Dowlman. His next was with Dennis "Warner and 
he grew uj) to be one in whom the people had 
implicit confidence, as his word could ever be re- 
lied upon in every particular and his judgment 
was unexcelled. From lirst to last he never met 
with disasters of any impt)rtance in his Inisi- 
ness career. He came to Dexter at the age of 
seventeen and after clerking for some years en- 
tered into partnership with his brothei- James in 
general merchandise, and subsequent to the death 
of that brother, (xeorge became his jiarlner until 
his health failed and he decided to go upon the 
road as a traveling salesman between New York 
and Detroit. 

This line of work Mr. Alley can-ied im for 
eight years and then again oj)eiied up busiiiesjs 
taking his l)rother Stephen as a partner and con- 
tinuing in this connection until overtaken by 
death, February 1 1. IHiSi). lie was sick for eleven 
years with consumption and looked forward to 
death with calm faith. He was a consistent and 
active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Two children came to bless the home of our 
subject, Dora, who was born November 15, 1H60, 
and was a graduate of the Dexter High School. 
She taught for eighteen months here and at Delhi, 
but having inherited the same constitution which 
destroyed her father's health, she died of con- 
sumption at the age of twenty-six, April 23, 188(j. 
Dcnett, the son, who was born March 10. lH(i(i, 
had begun to clerk in the drug store in Dexter, 
but contracting quick consumption was rapidly 
carried aw.ay by this relentless disease and died 
April 11, 1884. 

Mrs. Alley was the administralor i>f lu-i hus- 
band's estate and clo.sed u]i the liiisiiu-ss in .-i satis- 
t'actorv coiidilion, Slie now lives in a handsome 



edifice l)uilt by her own plans and erected under 
lu-r own supervision. She is a member of the 
IMethodist Epi.scopal Church where for many years 
her husband was the Steward and Trustee, and 
which still niouiiis the loss of his strong and help- 
ful hand. He was a man of thorough under- 
standing of public affairs and interested in the 
success of Republican i)rinciples, although he did 
not care to mingle among politicians nor did he 
ever seek oHice. 



-^4^ 



^\ K15RAH PJiRKINS. The sketch which is 
given below is that of the gentlemen, who 




lives in the gracious influence that emana- 
ted from him while on earth. He was born in 
Floyd, Oneida County, N. Y., in 1809, and there 
grew to manhood, receiving a fair education in the 
common schools of the county. On arriving at 
manhood he was married in 1829 to Miss Eliza A, 
Rro^\n and unto them was born a daughter, who 
was given the name of Betsey A., and who still 
survives her parents. 

Jlr. and ]Mrs. Perkins came to Washtenaw 
County, in 1839 and located in Salem Township, in 
tlie woods. That was in the early days when 
neighbors were few and hardships many and when 
the farmer had to cany a gun out in the fields with 
him ti) lie leady for the encroachments of wild 
animals or jjerliaps a hostile Indian. They cleared a 
farm of eighty acres which they made their home 
for twenty years, that was sold at the expiration 
of that time and they purchased another place 
which was larger than the first and this they added 
to until Mr. Perkins owned more than two hundred 
acres of tine land. 

The oi'iginal of oui- sketch was for \-cars an ac- 
tive member in the Congregational Church and 
gave liberally for the erection of the church at 
Prebles Corners. He was a prominent and efficient 
memljcr of this body and was always ready with 
his means to sup])ort this as all other worthy en- 
terprises. Politically, lu- was a Republic-an, Sebrah 



410 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Perkins was a son of William Perkins, a native of 

Connecticut. The latter had a family of eight 
children, whose names were. Ephraim. William, 
our subject, Lorenzo D.. Celia, Lucy. Folly and 
Sally. ^Irs. Perkins was the daughter of Asa 
Brown of Vermont. 

He of whom we write died in IXlifl. Mis wife 
survived until July, 1886. Their daughter bought 
a farm of eight}^ acres on section 28, which she re- 
sides on at the present time. She is an active 
worker in the cause of the blaster and a liberal 
contributor of her means in supporting all benevo- 
lent enterprises. 



'fj ACOB LAUBENGAYER. Among the lead- 
ing Inisiness men of Ann Arlior, the subject 
of this sketch takes a prominent place, hav- 
ing from small Ijeginnings reached his pres- 
ent strong, financial position, through liard work, 
perseverance and pluck. He was born in Scio 
Township, this county, July 13, 1840. His parents. 
.John G. and Barbara (Kock) Laubengayer, were 
botli natives of (iermany, having V)een born in 
AVittenljerg. They emigrated to the United States 
in 1832, locating at once in Scio Township upon a 
farm, which ilr. Laul)engayer cleared and put on 
some good buildings proving a successful farmer 
until his death, wliich took pl.ace in 1868 in his 
sixty -second year. His wife is still living at pres- 
ent making her home in Ann Arlx)r and is now in 
her seventy-thii-d year. They were the parents of 
three sons, Jacob, our subject; John G. residing in 
Philadelphia in the dry-goods business and Henry 
a resident of Ann Arbor. 

.hicol), the subject of our sketch was educated in 
the district schools, receiving such .advantages .is 
one can from that source; he worked on the farm 
until Ids twentieth year, when he entered the em- 
ployment of Katz iV Kenchley, butchers, .ind re- 
mained with them for about four years, when he 
k'ft them and worked for ^Ir. Coly for one year. 
Feeling desirous of making a change he went to 
Cleveland, Ohio, remaining there however only 



one year which he spent in Schots Packing House. 
He was not satisfied there, liowever, and returned 
to Ann Arbor, where he entered into business on 
his own account, starting a market on Huron 
Street remaining there six years in partnership 
with AVilliam K.iyer. under the firm name of Kayer 
A- Laubengayer. This partnership lasted six years 
when it was dissolved l)v mutual consent. Mr. 
Laubengayer then started a market at his present 
stand at Xo. 55 South Main Street. He has a fine 
brick storeroom, 18x65 feet in dimensions. Mr. 
Laubengayer keeps a first-class stock of meats, 
buying them from the farmers of this county, 
packing all of his own meats, and has all the latest 
appliances necessary for conducting a fii-st-dass 
meat-market successfully. 

The gentleman of whom we write this life recoid 
was married in 1868 to Miss Mary Luick. daughter 
of David Luick. She was born in this county. 
Her parents were formerly from (iermany. Mr. 
and Mrs. Laubengayer have but one child, Olga B. 
who is a graduate in the Higli Seliool, and in i)oii- 
tics ilr. Laubengaver is a Democrat. They have a 
comfortable residence in tlie rear of tlie market. 



//^ HAKLES E. IHSCOCK. The genial and 
[11 ^^^ courtly cashier of the Ann Arbor Savings 

\^' Bank is he whose name appears aljove. It 
is fitting tli.at closely connected as he is with the 
commercial interests of this city that he should be 
a native of this county. Like so many men who 
liave risen to positions of confidence and trust. 
Mr. Hiscock was reared on a farm. He is a son of 
Daniel Hiscock and was educated in the city schools 
of this place. 

In 1869 the original of this sketch entered the 
employ of the Ann Arbor Savings Bank, his posi- 
tion being the humble one of me.isenger. His faith- 
fulness and integrity as an employe soon found its 
reward in advancement and he was made book- 
keeper and afterward took the position of l)Oth 
teller and book-keeper, and in 1876 he was made 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



4i:5 



cashier of the Savings Bank, which position he 
now holds. Aside from tlie responsible position in 
this direction he is also a Director of the Michigan 
Furniture Company, holding the position of Treas- 
urer and is Director and Secretary of the Ann 
.\rl)or Water Company. 

A man of many interests, oui- subject has besides 
those above mentioned a position as Director and 
Tieasurei' of the Ann Arbor Street Railway Com- 
pany, and holds the tirst-named position in the 
Ann Arbor A: Yiwilanti Street Railway Com- 
pany. Socially, Mr. Hiscock is a member of Fra- 
ternity Lodge No. 162, F. c% A. M. He also be- 
longs! to the Royal Arch Masons and to the Ann 
,\rbor Commandery, K. T. He is also a Director 
of the Keystone Boating and Fishing Society and, 
as lovers of the piscatorial art will readily imagine, 
derives much pleasure from this association. He 
is also Captain of Company A, First Regiment 
Michigan State troops. He has been Past !M.n.ster 
of Fraternity Lodge and PastHigli Priest of Wash- 
tenaw Chapter and Past Eminent Commander of 
.\nn Arbor Commandery. In tact he h.as held all 
the Chairs in all the bodies or I tranches of the .sev- 
eral lodges. As Mr. Hiscock has not yet foresworn 
the state of .single blessedness, he finds his diversion 
in the many social and commercial relations with 
which his time is constiintly employed. 



\f? oris ,1. LISEMER. The gentleman whose 



I (j^) portrait appears on the opposite page is the 

^ editor of the Washtenaw Post which is 

published in Ann Arbor. Its editor was born in 
Lisbon, Canada. August 9, 18.59. Young Lisemer, 
when fourteen years of age, went to Detroit and 
entered the oftice of the Detroit Free Press as devil 
and there he served his time as a printer and then 
was engaged in the work at different places. 

In 1879 our subject came to Ann Arbor and was 
ft)r a time connected with the Ann Arbor Democrat, 
at that time published by Bui-leigh, Bower & Lise- 
mer. At the end of six mouths he withdrew from 



this partnership and started the Washtenaw Post. 
\ It is Democratic in its political tendencies. 
1 Mr. Lisemer was married in July, 1879, to Mi.ss 
I Emma Helber — -daughter of Dr. Ilelber, now de- 
ceased. .Slie was a talented and noted writer for 
various journals, and assisted her husband mater- 
ially in liis work until her decease, which occurred 
in September, 1888. Mr. Lisemer has attained no 
small note as a writer of novels and serial stories, 
finding a medium of publication in many of the 
liest newspajters of the country. 



LBEKT C. KELUKU;, a clairvo.\ant iihy- 
( dj^LJI j sician at Ann Arbor, received his medical 
A\ educaticm as well as his peculiar clairvo}- 
ant powers from his father. Dr. D. B. Kel- 
logg who was the originator of Kellogg's Family 
Remedies, which have been sold so extensively 
throughout Michigan. Our subject was born in 
Pittsficld Township, this county, August, 18.54 and 
ins father had his birth in the same townshii> in 
1834. The mother of our subject w.as in her 
maidenhood known as Sarah .1. Vreeland. and she 
w.as a native of the Empire State who came with 
her parents to this coiiut\- while young and was 
here united in marriage with Dr. Kellogg who is 
the son of Horace Kellogu' Mud :i brother of L. U. 
Kellogg of Detroit. 

Horace Kellogg came from Oneida County. N.V.. 
to Ann Arbor and was here among the ver\ first 
settlers. He died many years ago and his son I). 
B. passed away in 187.5, leaving Albert to .succeed 
to his business. The father always claimed that it 
was while in a clairvoyant state that his knowl- 
edge of medical matters came to him and that he 
was in that condition when he gave the formulas 
known as the Kellogg Family Remedies. His 
reputation was extensive and his practice reached 
to distant parts of the country. 

Albert C. Kellogg was educated in tlie city .schools 
of Ann Arbor .and he afterward attended the Higii 
School, after which he commenced the study of 
medicine under the direction of liis father ,tiuI 



414 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



continued with him until tin- ilciih uf that parent 
after wliicli the young doetur continued liis prae- 
tice in liisi)laee. Tlie Doctor is engaged in the 
nianufaeture of these projirietary remedies ah'eady 
mentioned whieh are handk-d hy druggists espec- 
ially throughout tlie State of Jlicliigan. lie treats 
jiatient-s liy the clairvoyant method in addition to 
his medical |n'actice. 

Tills gentleman was mairied ( )ctol)er. l.S«() to 
^liss Carrie .1., daughter of William A. Lovejoy of 
Ann Arbor. Their pleasant home is at Xo. 8 Brown 
Street, in the old jiart of the town, and they here 
keep uj) tlie old homestead which was his father's. 



L'^'^UBAL C. OWKN. Tlie mineral waters of 
'f(^\\ -^lichigan have long been favorably known 
*^^/' throughout this country, and among them 
conspicuous mention belongs to the Atlantis w-aler, 
which is a nearly neutral .saline water. It rises in 
the well to within forty feet of the surface, giving 
a never varying supjjly of clear, cool water, loaded 
with suli)liuretted h\drogen gas. The g.as soon 
passes off, leaving the water bright and clear, with 
a distinct salt taste, but in no form having the 
eflfect of .salt. It inerea.?es in strength and etfect- 
ivonesswith age. The gentleman who.se name in- 
troduces this sketcii is the proprietor of the Atlantis 
well at Ypsilanti and has been largely interested 
in its development. lie is also connected with the 
Illinois Steel Company and with many enterprises 
to advance the city. 

Born .lanuary IT). 1843. in Silver Creek. Cliau- 
tauqua County, N. V.. our subject is the sun of 
Benjamin F. and Ahbie (Ward) Owen. AVhenonly 
one year old he was brought by his (parents to what 
is now Marine City.^Iich., where the father passed 
the remainder of his life. He was a sailor and was 
a vessel and barge owner. At a good old age he 
jiassed from earth in 188G. leaving to his eliildren 
the legacy of a well-spent hfe and a spotless record. 
After obtaining his early educaticm in the I'liiver- 
sity of Michigan our suliject went on the lakes .as 



a sailor, beginning at the bottom of the ladder and 

rising in r:uik until he became Captain. During 
this lime he became interested in barges and the 
l:ist lioat he was on he owned entirely. 

With .lolin F. Rust A' C(mii)auy our suliject 
bought considerable pine land in the northern part 
of the .southern peninsula and for several years re- 
tained this interest, but finally sold out. Later he 
rebuilt the Vpsilanti Flouring Mills, which he op- 
erated for four years. The mills had a capacity of 
from fort\- to four hundred barrels of tlour per day 
and produced a standard grade of llour. Mr. Owen 
finally sold out to K. B. Ward, of Detroit, and de- 
voted his energies to other enterprises. Ever since 
he was al)le to invest capital he has had money in 
various iron works. He fir.st invested in the AVj'au- 
dotte Mills, and selling out took stock in the Illi- 
nois Rolling .Mill.--, which he yet holds. 

For about twenty-six years Mr. Owen lias made 
Ypsilanti his home and at the time of the boring 
of the Atlantis well he was in business on the 
lakes. This well was dLseovered by accident 
wiiile trying to get an artesian well and was struck 
at a depth of eight hundred and eight feet. The 
water is used mainly in ginger ale and paragon 
drinking water, deoderized and carlionated; also in 
many forms of soaps, ointments and plasters. The 
[leople having become thoroughly convinced of its 
value it finds a ready .sale. The water bears a gen- 
eral resemblance to that of the famous Kreuznach 
.Sj)rings of (rermany. but ctmtaius a much larger 
amount of saline matter. Internally it is usefulin 
the treatment of neuralgia, rheumatism, and a 
great variety of diseases. !!Mr. Owen has invested 
fully ^aOO.OOO in the development of the well, 
which is now one of the liest known in the State. 
31 r. Owen has a pleasant home on Forest Ave- 
nue opposite the Normal School, where he has 
sixty-five acres, some of which lies within the city 
limits liut the rear portion extends back into the 
ciiuutry. A picture.sque location, it forms an ideal 
home with the advantages of city and rural life 
combined, and all who pass are attracted by the air 
of comft)rt tiiat ]>revails. In the midst of other 
duties Mr. Owen finds time to devote to stock- 
raising in which he is considerabl^• interested and 
at present he has twenty-eight fine, full-blooded 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



415 



Holstein cattle. His beautiful residence is sur- 
rounded l\v a laisje lawn of six and one-lialf acres, 
adorned with tropical plants and containinu' n 
lovely green garden of flowers. 

The lady who i>resides with graceful tticl over 
tins lionie is tlie daughter of K. JI. Foote, a pi-oini- 
nent teacher oi this .State, and was i>orn in Lewis- 
town, >'. Y. Prior to lier marriage she resided in 
Ypsilanti and was know7i as Miss Anna S. Foote. 
Mr. and Mr.s. Owen have tliree children — F^ber W'.. 
Richard L. and Aliba L F^ber has recently received 
his diploma fi-om the T^niversity of Michigan, 
tlie two j'ounger children are in the Normal .School 
and arc being prepared by good educations for 
whatever of responsiliility and honor the future 
mav hold for them. 



I>'^^<^ 



\l^^ KNKY S. I>F:AN, of the tirm of Dean it 
if )jl Co., wholesale and retail dealers in grocer- 
Jiy^ ies, china, glass, etc., whose house of busi- 
ly; uess is situated at No. 44 South .Main 
Street, Ann Arbor, was born in Lima, Livingston 
County. N. Y.. June 14. 1830. He is a son of Will- 
iam AV. and FHiza (Hand) Dean, the father being a 
citizen of Albany, N. Y., and the mother of New 
LeI)anon, the same State. The former was of Eng- 
lish descent and the latter of New F^ngland ex- 
traction. The father was a merchant and miller 
for many years and the grandfather. Steward Dean, 
was a native of Maryliind and a sailor, who as both 
captain and pilot sailed under lettei-s of Marque 
and Reprisal. 

Our suliject is the eldest of three children all 
sons, and was six years old when with his parents 
he came to Michigan and settled in Livingston 
County. Henry was sent F>ast again, where he at- 
tended first the common school and afterward the 
Hloomtield Academ\- in which for two years he 
piu'sued his studies. Returning to Michigan he 
studied in a school in .Vnn Arbor, paying for his 
tuitiou l)y teaching a class in mathematics, but 
while still only fifteen years f>f age he entered the 
store of .1, II. Lund remaining tiiere until 18iVl. 



lie then retnrnt'd to school until lis.'(2 when he 
went to Califoinia where he remained until 1K.')7 
when he i-eturned to Michigan. 

In l!S()2 the young man enlisted to serve the old 
l!ag in the Twenty-second 3Iichigan Infantry, being 
a member of Conqjany II, and was under the com- 
mand of Col. Mo-ses Wisner. Upon the organiza- 
tion of the company he w;is made its Captain and 
the regiment was sent to Kentucky and remained 
with the army of the Cumberland until the close of 
the war. participating in all the operations of that 
.•uiny. On .January 5. 1863 lie was for meritorious 
seivices promoted to the rank of Major of his 
regiment, and the following year he liecame Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel. From May. 1863 to September. 
1863 he served as Inspector (ieneral by appoint- 
ment of (tcii. Rosecraus on the staff of (.Ten. R. S. 
(iranger, and was also member of a military com- 
mission for the trial of cotton speculators. In 
.laniiary, 1864 he Ma.-, made a member of a com- 
mission to examine officers for coinmi-ssions to com- 
mand colored troojjs. He commanded his regiment 
from September 27, 1863 until its muster out .Iiine 

2.'). ^^<{;.■). 

I'poii returning to the avocations of peace our 
subject formed a business partuershii) in 1866 with 
his brother .Sedgwick, under the firm name of Dean 
iV' Co., and with him he has continued in business 
to Ihi- day. The Mibject of this sketch was mar- 
ried August 24. l«6r) to Miss Delia B. Cook a na- 
tive of Michigan. She is the daughter of Kwiii 
and Margaret \. Cook. One daughter has conielo 
brighten this home and to liei' has been given the 
name of Kliza W. 



FA'. FATIIKR W. P. (ONSIDINK. Ihe 
reverend gentleinau of whom It Is our 
[ileasure and privilege to iiere give a l>io- 
graphical sketch in outline, is the pastor 
of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Chelsea, where he 
came in 188.5. He has a menibenshi)) of one hun- 
dred and seventy families and the church In wliicli 



416 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



he holds service has a seating capacity of six hun- 
dred and fifty. It is a fine lirick structure, elaborate 
in all the finish of its departments. C'onneuttd 
witli itisafinely-fiuislied and heautifully-furnished 
residence, whicii is doul>tless tiie most desirable of 
any church house in Michi<raii. It is surrounded 
Ijy aljout one acre of land and is charmingly situ- 
ated in the center of tliis enclosure. Avhicii grounds 
are beautified by trees and slirulis. 

Father Considine is a native of Detroit, Mich., 
and was born February 9. ISfu. He is a s(m of 
John and Bridget (Keegau) Considine, who were 
married in Detroit, in 1856, the father having set- 
tled in that city in 1852, and for twenty years he 
held a position in the car .shops of the Michig.in 
Central Railroad. ^Mter that he became engaged 
as a builder and contractor and now holds'a re.spon- 
sible and remunerative position as contractor of 
street paving for Detroit. He keeps busy a lai-ge 
force of men and is the owner of a number of houses. 
Our subject's father has filled many important 
ottices in the city and has l)een President of the 
City Council and also Alderman. He has taken 
an active part in school matters and iiolds one of 
the firmest financial positions in that city. Politi- 
cally he is a Democrat and does good work for that 
party. The mother of our subject died in 18«7. 
Father Considine is one of the three children liorn 
to his parents. His sister, Elizabeth, who is a 
graduate of the High School of Detroit, is now a 
teacher in the Tappen School of that city. John. 
Jr., is now Circuit Commissioner foi' the county of 
Wayne. The father of our subject has spared no 
means or trouble to give his children educational 
advantages. They are all members of the Catholic 
Church. 

Father Considine received the ludiments of his 
education in the public school of Detroit, after 
which he attended Assiunption College at Sand- 
wich, Canada, and then became a student at St. 
A'incent College, Pa., and later gi-aduated at St. 
Mary's College at Baltimore, Md.. in 1882. After 
finishing his education he became assistant in the 
Church of our Lady of Ilel)) in Detroit, where he 
remained nineteen months and was then sent to 
Xorthfield. this county, as pastor, where he re- 
mained twenty mouths, and was then given this 



charge, wliicli lie assumed in November, 1885. He 
lias also in connection with this the charge of St. 
Mary"sChurch.at Pinckney. where he has a parochial 
following of one hundred families and labors there 
every third week. 

The church at Chelsea was established in 1865 
and the edifice was erected at a cost of %25. (•<•<). 
Father Considine is highly respected by the people 
of the town in general and much loved by the 
members of his own church. He is a worthy gen- 
tlcm.an who seeks the good of the nias.ses. 






DW.VKI) DANIKL IIJSCOCK. Washtenaw 
County has been fortunate in lieing de- 
veloped by men who were not onlv am- 
bitious but broad-minded and far-seeing. Many 
(fortions of it are as attractive as though laid out 
by a landscape gardener and reminds one of the 
beautiful Champs d'Elysee of which Paris is .so 
proud, and in all the county there is no more 
diversity of scenery than in Webster Township, 
and that portion of it in which our subject lives, 
— sections 17 and 18 — is particularly attractive 
with its tiny lakes reflecting heaven's own Ijlue, 
and Its streams gleaming like silver ribbons through 
the emerald green of the rolling country. Here 
the gentleman whose name heads this sketch has 
a most beautiful home. 

Mr. Hiscock was born in Ann Arbor. November 
20, 1856. After gaining the rudiments of his edu- 
cation in the common schools of tlie city he attended 
High School and later entered the law department 
of the university, spending one winter there. He 
remained at home until 1874, when with his father 
he came to Webstei' Township and soon after pui'- 
chased four hundred acres of land and set about 
making a home thereon for the wife that he in- 
tended to bring at a later time. 

Our snl>ject was married December 20. IH8;i. in 
Lodi Township, to Miss Dolly Burnett, a daughter 
of Mrs. Ann F. Burnett. She was born in Living- 
ston County, April 16. 1864. and was a student at 
the Hisjli School in Ann Arbor. Since locating on 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AIvBlJM. 



417 



tlie fill-in which he now ownsi, Mr. Hiscock has pjiid 
particular attention to the growing- of wlieat. de- 
voting from forty to sixty acres each year to tliis 
cereal. Thus far his efforts in this direction have 
lieen successful. 

The union of our subject and his attractive and 
accomplished wife has been blest l)y the advent of 
three children into the home circle. There are 
two boys and one little daughter who are the iiride 
and joy of the family. They are by name Dana Iv, 
who was horn .hine 13, IH80; Roy B., liorn April 
10, 1887, and Pearl, who was welcomed into the 
household January 29, 1889. Mr. Iliscock is (me 
of the many who is infusing new life and enthusiasm 
of young blood into the Republican jwrty. He 
himself is liberal in church matters; his wife is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination 
and accomplishes much good through her church 
associations. 



-?^^^|:b ^,a 1^1^^=^ 



RS. CLARISSA (IvKLLOtiC) GAY. This 
prominent lady of Dexter is the widow 
of Edward F. (iay, who was born in Con- 
necticut in 1800, .and was among the first 
settlers in Ann Arbor, where he carried on a mer- 
cantile business in connection with Mv. Maynard, 
and after six years went to Howell where he erected 
the first frame building in that village and contin- 
ued to reside there until his death in 1875. He 
engaged in the mercantile business for .many years 
and took u|) much land in this vicinitj-. For some 
years he was Justice of the Peace and was one of 
the most prominent citizens of Howell, being an 
active and consistent member of the Presbyterian 
Church and prominent in every good work, 
especially in those of temperance reform and the 
abolition of slavery. 

The first wife of Mr. Gay was Clarissa Lee. <>l 
Connecticut, by whom he had six children, four of 
whomare buried at Ann Arl)oi-. One son, the Hon. 
Milo L. (iay, was for many years a public man, and 
was a State Senator for two terms besides being 
iiitrust<'(l with the cares ;nnl resiionsibilities of 



numerous other public offices. He was engaged in 
the banking business for a number of years at Fow- 
lerville. He was a member of the Episcopal Church 
in Howell, where he resided up to the time t>f his 
death in 1883. His si.ster Elizabeth is now Mrs. 
C. C. Ellsworth, of Greenville. 

The second marriage of Mr. Gay was with our 
subjeet, and occurred .lune 6, 1853, .at Dexter. 
This lady is a daughter of Philander and Fannie 
(Sperry) Kellogg, both of whom were natives of 
Massachusetts, who came to Washtenaw County in 
1837. She was born in Windham, (ireene County, 
N. Y., February 5, 1822. Her father was a miller 
and an extensive manufacturer at New Lisbon. 
N. Y.. before coming to .Michigan. 

.Mr. Kellogg settled in Dexter Township, four 
miles west of the village and there his good wife 
died October (i, 1842, at the age of fifty-five years. 
He then made his home with a son at Kalamazof> 
until the d.ate of his death, Septeinl)er 13, 1851. 
His family ccmsisted of the following children: 
John, Enoch, Edward, Mary Ann, Cordelia and 
Pamelia (twins), Clari.ssa, William H. and Charles. 
Enoch had settled here a few years previous to the 
coming of the family and died in Kalamazoo in 
1851; Mary Ann became the wife of freorge Tay- 
lor and died in 1883, in Dickey County, Dak.; 
Cordelia married Henry Phelps of this city; Pa- 
melia is the wife of Daniel Hosier, now of Eaton 
Rapids, but formerly- a wagon and carriage manu- 
facturer of Dexter; William H. is a farmer in Fulton, 
(iratiot County; and Charles, who had removed to 
the same place died there in 1884. 
. Mrs. (iay began teaching at the age of seventeen 
at North Lake, in Kalamazoo County, and contin- 
ued in that line of work until she reached the age 
of thirty-two. She had prepared herself for this 
profession at Albion Seminar}^ (now Albion Col- 
lege), and the able instruction under which she had 
placed hei-.self made her a successful teacher. She 
continued in the country schools until she went tt) 
Howell in 1848, when she established a school in 
the old Presbyterian Church, where she taught one 
term until the new schoolhouse w.as built. The 
Board expressed great regret that her marriage had 
taken away their best te.acher. She looks b.ack 
with a sreat deal of satisfaction to her earlv teiicli- 



418 



PORTRAIT AND IJIOGRARHICAI. ALBUM. 



ing' days, :i^^ ■'l>i»:ii(liii<i 'roiiiul" iiiadc m \fi\ dis- 
tinct and uiii(|Uf iiniMession on iici- mind and her 
rQjninisc't'nccs ol'tlinsc days arc ext-ei'diniiiy intci- 
estinjj. 

Mrs. (iay ri'niaincil in llowi'll for two years 
.•it'li-r lier lnisl)and's death and then came to Dexter 
an<l wa.s with her brother Jolin until his death and 
still maintains her old home. She has no children 
of her own but she has a young lady in her family. 
Miss Ella Day, who has been under her care and 
training since her twelfth year and who is like a 
daughter to her. 

John Kellogg had come here a few years |uiur 
to the emigration of his fatlier's family and settled 
ujion a farm neai' his father's place, but removed 
to Dexter some eight years previous to his death, 
wliicli occurred October 6, 1«78. His wife, Louisa 
Terry, to whom lie had been married in New Lisbtm, 
N. Y., had died one year before his demise. They 
had l)Ut one child, C'larinda, who married Mr. Fred 
Rowe of Sharon Township. She was a graduate of 
Albion College and died about a year after her 
marriage, and previous to the death of her i)arents. 
Her father was for a short time in the mercantile 
business and was for a number of years on a farm 
on the Ann Arbor road, one mile from Dexter. 
Mrs. Gay administered upon liis estate, and in this, 
as in all business which she lias undert.Mi<en. slic 
lias shown unusual aliilit\'. 



DWIN W. FORDisthe senior mom her of the 
firm known as that of F^. AA'. Ford cV Son. 
dealers in lumlier, carriages and agricnltur.-il 
implements. They liere enjoy a veiy extensive 
patronage and their ])lace of business is one of the 
finest in the county, ^h: Ford was born m Mon- 
roe County, N. Y.. .May 14. 1828, and is a son of 
William F<H-d, who was a native of Rerkshire, 
Mass., and subsequently emigrated to New York, 
in 18;j3, coming to Michigan where he bought land 
and located in Y'ork Township, this county. 

The immediate progenitor of o\u- subject w.as 
one of llu' first settlers here .and lie at once set 



himself to clearing and imjiroving his farm and 
after a lifetime spent in industry and conscientious 
devotion to the work of providing for his family 
he died at the age of seventy-six years. He was a 
man who was nnicli i-espected in his localit\- and 
who was awarded various township otHces, liaving 
been Sujiervisor for some time. He was a member 
of the Methodist F^plscopal Church and a generous 
sup|K)rter of the same. Our subject's mother was 
befoi-e lier marriage Miss Almira AVaugh, of New 
York: she died in 1857. This worthy couple were 
the (larents of eleven children, eight of whom are 
living at the present time. 

Tiie original of this sketch is the second in order 
of birth of his family and was five years of age 
when his parents came to this State. He like other 
boys in pioneer days was grounded in the rudi- 
ments of an English course in the district school 
that was lield in a log .schoolhou.se fitted out in the 
most primitive manner. He remained at home 
until twenty-one years of age and helped his father 
clear and improve the farm, and when he had 
reached his majority the place wasw-cll freed from 
unsightly stumps; fences were built and roads made 
so that it was reduced to a state well fitted for 
liroductiveness. 

In 18.54 Mr. Ford removed to Saline and here 
learned tlie carpenter's trade, and he has followed 
this more or less constantly ever since. In the 
si)ring of 185!) lie went to Chicago and was there 
engaged on job work for nearly five years. At the 
exjiiration of that time lie returned to Saline where 
he continued working at his trade. He has built 
many dwelling and schoolhou.ses, and working so 
niiich in lumber lie gradually went into the busi- 
ness, and about 1880 he established a lumberyard 
in this town, taking his stm into partnershi]) with 
him under the firm name given above. During 
the past two years the firm have added agricultural 
implements to their stock and have developed 
quite an extensive business in this direction. 

^Ir. Ford liecoming wearied of single-blessedness 
united his life f(n' better or wcn'.se with that of 
]Miss Ellen I'. Fuller, January 1, IHo;'). The lady 
was a native of Monroe, this State, and a daughter 
of Ormon Fuller, a native of New York, and who 
came (o Michigan at an oarh' dav. Mrs. Ellen 



I'ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Hit 



Ford died Jniuiarv II. I sC, I. while rcsidiiiii- vvitii 
her hiisliaiid in Cliit-iizo. She Ict'l to Ihm- hcie-ived 
huMband tliree childicii — Chiirles K, Fhivius and 
Ida. The lirst and last named are deceased. Two 
years later our suhjeet ct)ntrac'ted a second mar- 
riage, his bride l)eino; ^liss Pliebe A. rpton. From 
this union was born one child — Ilattie ilay. .Mrs. 
I'hcbe Ford died .January 12. 1«K7. .V Whiy orio-- 
inally in political favor, our sidiject lia.s of late 
years been a Republican, lie has held the position 
of Justice of the Peace for four years and has been 
a Mason for more than t\vent\' years; he also be- 
longs to the Knights of Honor and the Free and 
Accepted INIasons. INfi'. Foi'd has a tine residence, 
!tnd altogether n beautiful home. 



'l^LISHA C'RANSOX, the owner of a fine 
Ife] farm on section 20, Webster Township, was 
' * — '-^ ' born in Lennox, ]Madison County. X. Y., 
March 7, 1820. He is a son of Klisha and .\bigail 
(Reed) Cr.anson, the former of whom was born 
A\igust 27, 1782, and the l.-itter March 1:3, 1784. 
They were both born neai- Boston, Mass., .aMdwere 
married November 27, 1807, in the old Bay State. 
Elisha Cranson was the fifth in order of birth of a 
family of ten children, seven of wlimn lived to 
reach years of maturity, although the only one 
now surviving (1891) is Elisha. 

In May, 183(1, the family came to Michigan .and 
purchased one hundred and sixty .acres of Land on 
sections 24 and 26, Webster Township, and settled 
at once upon their place. They had very limited 
means and were obliged to work hard and econo- 
mize clo.sely. The fiist year of their residence 
liere they i)lanted twenty-six acres to wheat, the 
land being oak openings and the tim)>er at that 
time being well to the border of north and west. 
This continued to be the home of Klisha Cranson, 
Sr., until his death, which occurred in Ionia Count \- 
while on a visit. August 2:5, 18.")."); his wife died April 
lit, 18.56, in Livingston County. They left a large 
family whose names are as follows: Deborah, , lob, 
Rosamond. Abiaail. Alonzowlio died in childhood. 



Klisha. Levi. Charles C. and Lyman who died in 
inl'.'iney. The eldest daughti'i- married Sterns Kini- 
berly: -lob was ;\ I'arnier in Livingston County and 
died at Ti'enlon. 1 K'ceiiibei- 8, 1882; Ros.amond 
married Alvin Moe of Imiia County and died in 
18;V5; Abigail was Mis. .lames LitcliHeld of Oakland 
County and died in IMf^.'i; Levi died .March 16. 
1848, at the age of twenty-fouryears; Chai'les died 
.lanuary 12, 18;")i). while en route^to California, his 
dece.-isc taking place at Ft. Laramie at a time when 
he was going overland to the Colden State; he 
was then twenty-.six years of age. Elisha Cranson 
was the i)ioneer of the x'ieinity and was followed 
by a large number of families from ^ladison 
County, X. Y. He had been captain of aniilitia 
company' in the Empii'e State and was commonly 
known as ('apt. Cranson. 

Our subject remained at home until he had 
reached his majority and then took up land in 
Otisco, Ionia County, and there spent seven years 
in improving a farm. At the end of that time he 
letnrned to the old homestead and from that time 
gave it his attention. He has added to the farm 
until it now comprises over three hundred aci'esof 
fertile and productive land. He here devotes 
himself to mixed farming in wdiich he has been 
very successfid. 

jVIr. Cranson was married while living in Ionia 
County, the occasion being celebrated Maieli 21. 
184.3, his bride being Miss Heroine Dnmond. who 
w.as born in Can.ada. She belonged to a family 
who settled at a very eai-l\- day in Ionia County. 
Our subject and his wife are the jiarents of four 
children who are living. They are Edgar, Emma, 
Frank I)., and lilsie Louise. The lii-st named is a 
farmer in Webster Township; F>mma is at home; 
Frank !it present conducts the work on the farm; 
Elsie is also at liome and is a highly educated and 
accomplished lady; she received her training in 
the High School of Ann Arbor. 

In his political belief our subject belongs to a 
family of Republicans. He has given his attention 
chierty to faiining and is the <iwner of one of the 
(inest hou.ses m in the locality II is provided 
with all the modern conveniences of the day, sup- 
plied with water that is contained in taidis which 
is forced to place by li vdr.aulie jiressure. In hisre- 



420 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ligious belief our subject has been a member of the 
Conoreo'ational Church, for fifty years. He is a sub- 
stantial man and a strong and interested citizen in 
all progrossive movements. 



ILLIA.M L. MARQUARDT. Ann Arbor 
rv/yr/ has many aspiiing young members of (he 

vy \^ legal fraternity, and as in every place 
where there is an educational institution with a 
Law Department, there are annually turned out 
graduates whose knowledge of book law is indeed 
extensive enough, but who are tried by tiie actual 
.•ind ])ractical ex])eriences, so that the metal of 
wh it'll they are made soon shows itself. Some go 
to the wall, those who have ability, stamina and 
energy enough to i>ursiie the fickle goddess of for- 
tune in the face of long waits for clientage, are 
pretty sure of success, but become scattered from 
under the eave-droppings of their Alma Mater to 
new' and untried fields. He of whom we write, al- 
though youtiiful in years has demonstrated his 
ability to cope successfully with briefs, parallel 
cases and general legal forms, and has a dash of 
originality in his method of pleading a case to 
judge and jury that is promising for his future. 

Lawyer Marquardt was born in ^lacomb County, 
this State, October 28, 1862. lie is the son of 
William and Catherine (Gohl) Marquardt, the 
father being a native of Prussia and the mother of 
Wurtemberg. {ierinan\-. They were among the 
early settlers in Macomb County, our subject's 
father having emigrated to theL'nited States about 
18.'jl. He at once engaged in farming and now 
lesides at Mt. Clemens, having retired from the 
.active pursuits of agricultui'al laboi'. ( )f four chil- 
dren born to the parents our suljject is the eldest. 
There were two sistei-s and two lirothers. William 
passed his youth at Mt. Clemens and there pursued 
his studies in the grammar and later in the High 
School. He tlieiv entered the rniversity of Michi- 
gan, from which he graduated in 1886, taking de- 
grees from the Literary and Law Departments. 



Soon after our subject began the practice of his 
profession and was so fortunate as to be soon ap- 
pointed assistant counsel of the Burlington, Cedar 
Rapids it Northern Railroad with residence at 
Cedar Rapids, Iowa; he then located at Emmets- 
burg, where he remained for three years. 

On returning to Michigan, Mr. Marquardt lo- 
cated in Ann Arbor. He was married March 21. 
1887 to Miss Lucy Siegmund. o£ Ypsilantl. She is 
a daughter of Charles Siegmund and was a native 
of Ypsilantl. She died April 21, 1890. On coming 
U> Ann Arbor in 1883, he of whom we write 
opened a law ofllee in the Masonic Block, and in 
t)ctober, 1891. formed a law partnership with 
Thomas A. Bogle. They have a general practice, 
having been very successful in their legal efforts to 
the present time. Socially Mr. Maicpiardt belongs 
to the Fraternity Lodge of the Free and Accepted 
Masons. He is also a member of the Independent 
Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 253. of Emmetsburg, Iowa. 
He is a member of the German Arbeiter Society, 
of Ann Arbor. He is a stanch Democrat. As be- 
comes a promising young lawyei-, he is much inter- 
ested in politics of the various departnients of 
State and country. 



jF_^ ON. THOMAS I). LANE, deceased. All 
Ijj jj) who knew this noble man in his life time 
A^^' will rejoice to find in this volume a sketch 
(^) of his life work. His efforts in clearing 
away the forests of Salem Township are appreciated 
by all who prize the ])ioneer history, and his public 
record in the service of the people is worthy of 
praise. He was born June 26, 1820, in Ontario 
County, N. Y., and was a son of Peter C. and 
Malana (Cronk) Lane, both of whom were natives 
of the Mohawk Valley in New York, the formei- 
being born in 1792 and the latter, the following 
\'ear. Their marriage took place in Ontario 
County, N. Y. and they became the parents of six 
children, namely: Julia, now the wife of Cornelius 
Ockford, of Detroit. Thomas D., Mary J., Abner 
0., of Traverse City. Hannah L. and J.ames S. who 



Sr^^ 





'^^JJ^Jyp^'lMj' 



PORTRAIT AND BJOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



423 



was killed in the Iwittle of Williamsburg duriiig 
the Civil War. Mary ,1. was among the first who 
took lectures in the Medical College at Ann Arbor, 
and Hannah has followed teaching for many years 
lieing a graduate of the State Normal School at 
Vpsilanti. 

^lichigan was still in its Territorial days wlicn 
the pai-euts of this family came hither and in tliis 
county tlieir children grew to years of maturity. 
Our subject grew up upon the farm and by study- 
ing at home gained a good practical education. 
He always took a great interest in educational 
affairs and for many years was School Inspector in 
tlie county. His marriage took place in 1857 and 
he was then joined for life with Miss Olive A. 
^Veb.ster, a daughter of Kli H. Webster who came 
hither from Monroe County, N. Y. and was one of 
the early settlers of Jlacomb County in the Terri- 
torial da.A's. 

Besides his long service as School Inspector Mr. 
Laiie'.s official life included eight terms a.s Super- 
visor of Salem 'i'ownship and in 1(^58, while he 
was still yf)ung he became a representative in the 
State Legislature, and in 18(50 he was made State 
Senator. His activities in the Union cause during 
tlie war are well-known to all loyal men in this 
p.art of the State and he raised manv recruits and 
in every way possible showed liis devotion to the 
old rtag. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Lane were born three children. 
Web.stcr 1'., who married Alice !McFarland and re- 
sides on the old home place with his wife and one 
child, Erma E.; James S., who died in infancy and 
Charles S., who resides at Traver.sc Citw The 
AV'hig party commanded the devotion of Mr. Lane 
in his early days but he became a Republican early 
in the history of that movement and helped in or- 
ganizing the party. He was a public spirited man 
and wrote many articles on subjects of public im- 
portance to the press of Washtenaw County. He 
and his wife were members of the ^lethodist Epis- 
copal Chiu'ch and his conscientious religious life 
will ever be a sacred memory to his family and 
friends. He was a strong advocate of temperance 
and worked for the suppression of crime and the 
upbuilding of morality. 

The father of Mr. Lane w;is for iiianv xcars an 



invalid and thus it was that in his boyhood the 
heavy burdens fell upon him and he was active 
and efficient in clearing and cultivating the farm 
which was covered with heavy timber when they 
moved upon it. The family was originally of 
English extraction and our subject thus inherited 
many of the best traits of the Anglo-Sax(m people. 
He gave to his sons a liberal education and Charles 
graduated at the business college at Gr.and Rapids, 
this State. Mr. Lane died July 18, 1890. 



EXRY LIESEMER. Few, if any of the bus- 
iness men in Saline, are better known and 
are dealt with more generally that he whose 
name is quoted above, and whose portrait 
is shown on the accompanying page. A dealer in 
grain and coal, he combines two trades that bring 
him in contact with all classes of people. As his 
name would suggest, he is of German ancestry and 
l)irth, his native place being Londorf, Hesse Darm- 
stadt, (rermany, and his natal day June 19, 1827. 
He is a son of Henry Liesemer, who was a Govern- 
ment officer in the P'atherland, having served 
twenty-tw'o years in the army, during which time 
he was present at the burning of Moscow. After- 
ward he was appointed Collector of Revenue and 
served in this capacity for live years when he re- 
tired to i)rivate life. In 18.55 he came to America 
to visit his son .and our subject, and while in 
America died at the age of si.\ty-five years, his de- 
cease occurring in Canada. 

Mr. Liesemer received excellent training in his 
native land and came to America in 1849, when he 
w!is in the full vigor of his young ambition and 
manhood. He first located in Canada in the county 
of Waterloo and was there engaged in the merchan- 
tile Vmsine-ss. He purchased a large tract of land 
while there and founded the town which was named 
in honor of himself, Liesbon. He continued busi- 
ness there for twenty-two years, and during that 
time held various official positions. He served as 
Postmaster of the town and was also .Justice of the 
Pence. In 1871 Mr. Liesemer came to Saline, and 



424 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



at once engaged in the grain luisiness. He lia;- 
bought and sliipped very large quantities of cereals, 
dealing besides in the staple coal. From 1883 
to 1884. he shipped three hundred thousand bushels 
of grain, sending *24,00(l to the Lake .Shore 
Railroad Company for freight. He has ever since 
been successful in securing a large trade. 

In May,1858.Mr. Lie.semcr was luiited in inai'riage 
with Miss Caroline Snort, who was born in Water- 
loo County, Canada. Six children were born as 
the result of this union. They are Louis .Tack, 
Henry An.stin, Xancy Ada, .\rthur and two chil- 
dren who ai-e deceased. The first named son is the 
editor of the Washtenaw Pant which is published 
at Ann Arbor; Henry is the agent for the Lake 
Shore Railroad at Springport. this State: Xancy is 
at home; Arthur is a teli'grai>h agent located at 
Ann Arbor. 

The creed and platform of Democracy is the one 
in which Jlr. Liesemer believes, it being con.sonant 
with his ideas as to the government of a country, 
great as is the United States. He has here a line 
residence that stands in the mid.st of three acres of 
of ground lieautified with rare trees and dowers 
and kept in the most perfect order, its velvet lawn 
being an inviting s))Ot on hot summer days to 
throw off the cares of business and recline in the 
shade of the trees. Mr. I.,iesemer should be given 
all the credit for the success that has attended his 
efforts. On coming to .\merica he had but a small 
amount of money but this he has huslianded and 
invested so judiciously that it has returned a hand- 
some profit to liini>elf. 






"Sp^, OBERT CAMl'I'.KI.L. We have here an- 
K#if other representative of the well-known and 
Jb \\\ highly respected Campbell family. This 
%i^ member of that household was born in the 
Parish of Dalrymple, Ayrshire, Scotland. December 
13. 1835 and his parents Rol>ert and .Vnna (JIuir) 
Campbell came to America in October. 1842 and 
located on a farm in .\ugustj\ Townsiiip. this 



county. The father was a lineal descendant of a 
sister of Oliver Cromwell, and also of Lockhart, of 
Lee, his minister to France. After taking a course 
of study in the district schools of this county our 
subject studied in the High .School at Ypsilanti 
and then taught for one year before entering the 
Slate Xormal School in the same city, where he 
graduated in the spring of 1859. 

The young man now passed an examination for 
the Cniversity which was so .satisfactory as to ad- 
mit him to the .Sophomore year of the course, but as 
he found it necessary to recruit his purse he went 
to Kentucky and tiiught at Morgansfield, taking 
charge of the academy at which Mi-s. John A. 
Logan had graduated two years previously. He 
returned to Michigan in the fall of 1860 and here 
engaged in teaching but his scholarly pui-suits were 
soon to be cut short as he entered the army, en- 
listing as Fir.st Lieutenant in the Fourth ^Michigan 
Infantry in .July. 1862. His regiment was attached 
to the army of the Potomac and he fought through 
the next three summer campaigns, seeing .severe cx- 
• perinces and being promoted to the position of 
Regimental Quartermaster. He also acted on 
special staff duty for both Corps and Division. 

The young .soldier lay in the Seminary Hospital 
at AVashington for several weeks from the effects 
of a sunstroke received near the clo.se of the 
<iettyslmrg campaign. He was with the Fifth 
Army Corps through all their engagements and left 
them only at Petersburg. He was mustered out of 
.service at Detroit, .Tune 30. 1864 .and returned di- 
rectly- home, happy to be joined once more to his 
wife and child. He had been married August 29. 
1861 to Lavinia L. daughter of the Hon. .Varon 
Childs. of Augusta Township, this county. His 
son. Walter W. was born May 4, 1862 and is now 
pastor of the three Congregational churches at 
Concord, Mass. He took a course at the Michigan 
University and afterward graduated at Andover 
Theological Seminary. The daughter F;iizabeth \. 
who was born August 7. 1868 graduated at the 
State University in the literary course taking her 
diploma in the Class of "91. 

Since the war Mr. Campbell has engaged in agri- 
cultural i)ursuits and speculating and also in over 
seeing his large fanning interests. He removed to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



425 



the city of Ann Arlior in November, 1880 and 
liere is an extensive dealer in real estate. He is 
proud to lie able to say that lie east his flrst Presi- 
dential ballot for Abraham Lincoln and has been a 
Republican from that day to this. He takes an ac- 
tive interest in politics and has successively held 
the offices of Township Treasurer, School Inspectoi', 
Drain.ijje Commissioner and Superintendent of 
Schools. For a number of years he has been a 
Deacon in the Congregational Church with which 
he and his wife have been long connected. Mr. 
Campbell is now collecting material for an histori- 
cal account of the battles and engagements of his 
old regiment — the Old Fourth, which began with 
15>ill Hun and closed with A])poniattox. 



- -<g). 



!>-^^<i 



'C@, 



\Jl ACOB BIRKLE. Our subject is a fair exam- 
ple of many young (Germans who are gen- 
erously endowed by nature, and ambitious 
to grow to their fullest possible height in 
this land of great possibilities and chances, and al- 
though he has had some serious drawbacks that 
might have discouraged a less constant nature, he 
has gone on undaunted in his career andnndoulit- 
edly there is a future before him of successful en- 
terprise and pleasing results in both public and 
private life. Mr. Birkle was lioi'n in J..odi Town- 
slii)), this county, .lune T). 1H62. He is a son of 
.lohn O. Birkle, of (ierman birth and ancestry, who 
came to America in 1852, and settled in this count.y 
where he worked out for several years. 

Our subject's immediate progenitor purchased 
his present farm in Lodi Township, where he has 
since lived and reared his family. His mother was 
in her girlhood days Miss Elizabeth Schaible. She 
was a native of (iermany and came to this country 
early in the '50s. Our subject is one of eight children 
born to his parents, five of whom survived childish 
diseases and the ills that human tlesh is heir to. The 
one in whom we are particularly interested, re- 
ceived the advantages of a district-school educa- 
tion and then attended the Union school at Saline. 
When a child of eleven years, he met with n very 



serious accident. While working about a feed- 
cutter, his right arm was caught in the machinery 
and was cut off at the shoulder. He has always 
lived on his father's farm, and has farmed the 
place on shares in i)arlnership with his elder 
brother. 

Mr. Birkle is a Democrat in politics, and has 
been elected by his friends in the party to which 
lie lielongs to several local offices. He has been 
School Insjjector for two years, and Treasurer for 
two years, and is now serving his third term as 
Township Clerk. He was advanced at the last 
Democratic convention as nominee for County 
Treasurer, and made a fine showing. He has a 
large following of enthusiastic friends who believe 
him to be the man for that office, and think that 
he will yet get it. 

Mr. Birkle is a member of the (German J^utheran 
Church, and a young man of excellent qualities 
and of much promise. His morals and manners 
are irreproachable, and he has a desire to advance 
the interests of his constituents in the true sense 
that commends him favorably to all right-thinking 
men. 



(OHX FINNEGAN. The gentleman whose 
name is given above is the proprietor of 
what is known throughout the city and 

vicinity as "Agricultural Hall." He is a 

dealer in agricultural implements, seeds, etc., and 
his place of liusiness is located at the junction of 
Detroit and Fourth Streets, Ann Arbor. In his 
establishment may be found the latest and most 
approved styles of agricultural machinery, mowers, 
reapers and binders, of which the men of fifty 
years ago knew nothing. 

Mr. Finnegan was born in the State of Massa- 
chusetts, the place of his nativity being Taunton 
and his birthday being July 15, 1831, and is the 
son of Matthew and Ellen (Englestor) Finnegan. 
The mother was born in Yorkshire, England, and 
the father in County Carlin, Ireland. He emi- 
I grated to the United States when a young man, and 



426 



PORTRAIT AND BiOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



after marriage settled in Taunton, and was em- 
ployed in the cotton mills of tliat city with the firm 
of Sprague. He removed to Michigan with his 
family in 1832 and purchased a farm three and a 
lialf miles soutli of Ann Arbor and there devoted 
himself to general farming and stock-raising. The 
tract of laud whieli he cultivated comprised one 
hundred and forty acres and was of excellent 
character. He died in ISoO, being at the time 
sixty years of age. 

Politically our sultject's father was a standi 
Democrat and in his churcli relations a devoted 
C'atiiolic. His wife survived him for some years, 
her decease occurring in 188^, Mheu in her eighty- 
fifth year. Of six children liurn to this couple 
only two are living at tlie present time, John Fin- 
negan being the eldest son and second cliild. He 
was an infant in arms when brought to this county 
and passed his youth on the liome farm, attending 
the district school during tlie winters and assisting 
with the work of the farm in the summer. He re- 
mained on the home place until reaching manhood 
and continued there until thirty-five years of age. 

Selling the farm, in I8(!7, our subject removed 
to the city of Ann Arbor and [lurehased tlie stock 
of implements owned by Moses Rogers, who had 
established the business in 18.")(). The stock con- 
sisted at that time of a fair supply of farm machin- 
ery and our subject immediately added to it, 
making a full stock. In tlie seed business he 
carries the l)est grades and those tliat are iiop- 
ular with the most advanced farmers. 

Mr. Finnegan was married, in l^t.')7, to ]\Iiss 
JIargaret Smitli, of Northfield Township, this 
county. Slie was born and reared to womanhood 
in tliat place and is a daughter of Peter and 
Bridget Smith, her parents coming here from Ire- 
land. Our subject and liis wife have never had 
children, of their own but tliey have reared three 
to whom they have given a pleasant home and 
good advantages. Our subject was an Abohtionist 
in slavery days and later became a Republican, 
although of late years he has voted the Indepen- 
dent ticket. He is a strong tariff reform man, be- 
lieving in an equalization of tariff valuations. 

For several years our subject was connected with 
what was called the Agricultural Company. It 



was engaged in the manufacture of farm machin- 
ery. He held the oflice of Secretary and Treasurer 
in the society until 1879, when it w.as merged into 
a stock compan\', with E. W. Moore as manager. 
Our subject is a member of tlie St. Thomas C'atiio- 
lic Church. 



* IV'ILLIAM H. ARNOLD. Tiie gentleman 
\/\ll/ "''"'^^ name is above, is one of a good old 
J^^ family of Dutch extraction that was highly 
honored and resiiected in the Empire State, The 
name is an historic one, but our subject is in no 
way related to the fascinating traitor who betrayed 
his country for British gold. Now a resident on 
section 3."), Dexter T<jwnship, all of our subject's 
bfe lias lieen passed in this vicinity. He is a son 
of .Fosepli Arnold, a native of Rensselaer County, 
N. V. Joseph Arnold was there reared to manhood, 
and married jNIargaret Vanransler, a lady of Dutcli 
descent. Of this union five children were born, 
four .sons and one daughter. A farmer by occupa- 
tion, the elder ]SIr. Arnold remained in his native 
State until 182fi, and then came to the Wolverine 
State and settled in Dexter Township, Washtenaw 
C'ounty. Here he spent the remainder of his days, 
and here died. 

.Mr. .Vrnold at once took up on coming to the 
State, one hundred and sixty acres of land and 
added one hundred and sixty acres more. As he 
liecame too aged to have tiie responsibility and 
care of the property it was divided among his chil- 
dren, who took care of him for the remainder of 
his life. He cleared one hundred and sixty acres 
of the land at a day when the country abounded 
in wild animals, and when the Indians were not an 
unfrequent sight. A vigorous and energetic na- 
ture, Mr. Arnold soon took a prominent stand in 
the vicinity, and was made the incumbent of most 
of the township offices; he died in 1885, the mother 
following iiim two years later, her decease occur- 
ring in 1887. The wife was one of the most ener- 
getic and remarkable ladies in this part of Michi- 
gan. She was liospitjible in the extreme, and no 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



427 



guest ever went nway from lier door uninvited to 
partake of the good things wiiieli her skill as a 
house-wife enaliled her to make. 

William H. .Vrnold was horn .lunc ■2."i. 1H24, and 
was only one year old wlicii his parents came to 
this State, which has ever sinee heen his home. He 
remained under the paternal roof until liaviiiii; 
reached his majority, lie was married in Dexter 
Township, to Elizabeth Dancer, daughter of Will- 
iam Dancer, and a native of England, who was an 
early settler in Lima Township, where he spent the 
remainder of his life, and where his decease oc- 
curred. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have eight children, 
namely: Annie, Maggie, iNIary, Lizzie, Eva, Will- 
iam, Ralph and Arthur G. Mr. Arnold received one 
Innuired and sixty acres from his father's estate, 
and to him and his brother was confided the care 
of the parents. A division of the land was finally 
made by which our subject received one hundred 
acres. He has since added three hundred and 
ninety acres, and is now the owner of four hundred 
and ninety acres. He lias cleared a great deal of 
Land, and has been a hard-working man. 

In addition to his agricultural business, the origi- 
nal of our sketch traveled for the Buckeye Reaper 
and Mower Company for eighteen years. He was 
ver}' successful as a salesman. Our subject is a Dem- 
ocrat in his political likings, and has always been 
true to his party, and has been awarded several 
township positions. 



*^^^i 



ylLLI.VM KOEBBE. This prominent busi- 
ness man of Manchester was born in Free- 
dom Township, Washtenaw County, Mich., 
November 15, 1856. His father, .1. H. Koebbe, w.as 
a native of Prussia, fiermany, and came to Mich- 
igan at the age of twenty-one, making his home in 
Freedom Township, when there was nothing upon 
the farm which he took except a log house with- 
out doors (n- windows, so that he had to hang 
blankets up for protection, and as there was no 
floor they trod upon the earth. He had only 
twenty-five cents when he came into the State, and 



he and his family lived for fifteen years in this 
primitive log house, which they had made more 
comfortable, and where our subject was born. 

The father of our subject remained upon this 
farm until his death, which occurred at the age of 
lifty-eight. He was an intelligent student of 
American affairs and felt it incumbent upon him 
as a citizen of his adojjted country to he at the 
polls upon every election day and to help in guid- 
ing the affairs according to his best judgment. 
In his political views he was in sym|)athy with the 
Democratic party. He was well-known as an 
honest, hard-working man and was a consistent 
member of the (Jerman Methodist Church, in the 
work of which he took an active part and held 
offices of responsibility. He was a liberal contri- 
butor to the work both of the church and Ihe Sun- 
day-school, and superintended the .school for a 
number of years. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of JNIary Davitcr and she also was a Prussian 
by birth, but was not united in marriage with Mr 
Koebbe until after her migration to Michigan, as 
they had never met in the old country. She is 
still living and resides at the old homestead, and 
is now about sixty-five yeais of age. To her were 
granted three daughters and four sons: John F., 
Sarah (deceased), William, Frank H., Sophia (de- 
ceased), Sarah (2d), and Calvin A. John resides in 
Saline Township and Frank IL, Sarah and Calvin 
are at home with the mother. 

The early days of our subject were passed in the 
little log home where he was born, and his first 
.schooling was taken at the schoolhouse at Silver 
Lake. He afterward learned the carpenter's and 
joiner's trade, beginning it when fifteen years old 
and following this line of business until he w.as 
twenty-eight years old, working for one man, Jos- 
eph Kramer. He helped to build many houses and 
barns in this vicinity, and one can hardly take a 
drive anywhere through the county without seeing 
some buildings which he has worked upon. 

In 18K6 he decided to go into the mercantile 
business and opened the store where he is now 
carrying a fine and well selected stock of clothing 
and gentlemen's furnishing goods. Here he and 
his partner, Mr. Robinson, are doing an excellent 



428 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



business and have every prospect of success. He 
was married on the 1st of JJecember, 1888, to 
Libby Neisley, a native of Saline Townsliip, tliis 
county, and to them have been l)orn two sons, 
Clarence W. and Frederick H. Since last spring 
Mr. Koebbe has been a member of the Common 
Council and he is connected with the German 
Workman's Aid Society of Manchester and is lib- 
eral in not onlj' this but all good causes. During 
the dull season in his regular business he devotes 
himself to a considerable extent to selling machines 
and agricultural implements. A quiet, unassum- 
ing man and a good citizen, he is respected by his 
acquaintances and numbered among those who are 
wortln- of resjard. 



-^ 



^^ 



^ IfelLLIAM ,J. STITT. Among the worthiest 
\jcj/l of the representative agriculturists in this 
W^ portion of the coimtry is he who owns the 
well-cared-for i^iace on section 32, iVLinchester 
Township. He was born in Pittstown, Rensselaer 
County. K Y.. August 5. 1818. He is a son of 
James Stitt, whose home and native place was the 
same as that of our subject and like him he was 
reared upon a farm, carrying on the business there 
until 1834, when he came to Michigan and settled 
in Lenawee County, making the journey hither 
alone in the lirst place with a team, and after pros- 
pecting and entering a section of land he i-eturned 
and Ijrought his family by boat to Monroe. From 
there he proceeded to Lenawee County with team. 
The farm which he had secured was somewhat im- 
proved. 

In 1860 our subject's father was killed, lie liad 
gone to Detroit to see Stephen A. Douglas and in 
some way got under the cars and was mangled so 
badly that he died two days later. He was a Dem- 
ocrat in his political likings .and was a man of 
greatest loyalty to his State. He was a Colonel of 
artillery in the AVar of 1812 and held himself in 
readiness to go to battle for his country at an v 
time. He was sixty-eight years of age at the time 
of his decease. Our subject's mother was, in her 



maiden days a Miss Mary Welling. She was a na- 
tive of Nova Scotia l)ut moved with her parents to 
Xew York when a small girl. She died in Lena- 
wee County, this State, at the age of about seventy- 
two years. Her father. William Welling, was a 
native of Nova Scotia and lived to be seventy j'ears 
of age, devoting himself during the whole of his 
career to the calling of farming. Our subject's 
parent* were married in New York State. They 
had seven children, three daughters and four sous, 
all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. Of 
these two daughters and one brother of our subject 
is now living. Amy is the wife of Benjamin Aken 
and resides in Rensselaer County N. Y., as does 
her sister Caroline. .Tosepli W. lives on a farm in 
Franklin Townshi]). Lenawee County, this State; 
the deceased children are Byron, Andrew .1.. Han- 
nah and Kecham. Our subject is the second child 
and eldest son in order of birth. He remained in 
his native place until seventeen years of age when 
he came to Michigan with his parents, making his 
home with them until twenty-seven years old. until 
that time assisting his father with the work of the 
farm. 

Oiu' subject was united in wedlock December 24. 
IXib. to Miss Lavilla Tyler a native of New York, 
and there born in 1825. After marriage the young 
people located where they now reiside, but in a log 
house 16x20 feet in dimensions. They lived in 
that way for one year when our subject erected a 
small frame house 14x24 feet. Here they reared 
their familj' of six children that comprised four 
sons and two daughters. They are Alasco T., who 
resides in .Jackson Count_\'; Emma, Mrs. Albert 
A'audewalker, who also lives in Jackson County; 
Flora deceased; Earnest who is engaged in clerking 
i n a store in the city of Jack.son ; Mertillo who lives 
ill Franklin. Lenawee County; and Orion L., now in 
Ann .\rbor, where he is engaged .as a carpenter. 
The mother of these children died and was interred 
in tlie Franklin Corners Cemetery in Washtenaw 
Count \'. Our subject w.as married the second time 
in 1886, his wife being Miss Eliza Pomeroy, a nat- 
ive of New York, born in 1818 in the town of 
Fianklin. Delaware County. 

Mr. Slitt is the owner of two hundred and forty- 
tive acres of well-improved land, which he bought 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



429 



at various limes siiu-e liis lirst |iiircliase of eitflilA' 
afi'cs tliiit lioiv no iini)rovciiifiits. Iiu coiiiina' licif 
wlicii a SdUiiii' man at a time wlirn tin' coimtrv was 
vt'i'v wild. His .MX was Ins (nil.\ im|)lement and 
di'sirini;' to spend as mncli time as possilile upon 
his own farm in clearini)- it he was obliged to liive 
two days out of the week to the man with whom he 
boarded in return for his board and lodging. After 
his marriage he rented a log hou.se for a year and 
at the end of that time ereeted the little frame dwel- 
ling that wa.s their home for a number of years. 
The greater part of tlie two hundred and forty-live 
acres of land that he now owns is under cultivation 
and bears evidence of good management and scien- 
tific treatment. 'I'he pleasant home wa.s built at a 
cost of $1,500 and is a cozy and attractive place. 
It is a two-story frame house with a good outlook 
in every direction and surrounded by trees and 
shrubs. Mr. Stitt devotes himself to general farm- 
ing. A poor man at the outset he has worked his 
way up until he is now in the enjoyment of a com- 
fortable competency. Politically our subject is a 
Democrat and has held various offices for many 
years. He has acted as School Director for some 
time. His farm has outdone itself this year (IHDl); 
He drove the reaper to cut sixty acres of wheat 
which is of the best grade. 



.{.^j.^..}. .^g^g .{.4..;.,;.^. 






IRAM WKI.CIl. The line farm located on 
section 11, Bridgewater Township, is the 
property of the gentleman whose name is 
above. He is a native of Onondaga 
County, N. Y.. having been born in Skaneateles, 
March 26, 1804. He is a son of Samuel Welch, 
who is sui)i)osed to have been a native of New York 
and reared in Onondaga County, where he died 
at the age of fifty-four years. He was in the "War 
of 1812 anddrewa pension asoneof the country's 
faithful servitors. His father Josiah Welch, is sup- 
posed to have been born in \ew^ York, and died 
in the same State. He served in the Kc\iilutionary 
War. 

'i'lie maiilen name of our subject's mother was 



Mary Washburn. She w.as born in New York and 
reared in Onondaga County, surviving until an 
almost patriarchal age, passing away in her ninety- 
fouith year. She and her husband were the parents 
of nine children, six sons and three daughters, all 
but one of whom grew to manhood and woman- 
hood and leared families of their own, and three of 
whom are still living. Our sul)ject is the fifth 
child in order of birth and the fourth son. He w.is 
reared in his native place and there lived until he 
was twenty-eight years of age. 

Mr, AVelch was first married when twenty years 
of age, in his native State. His bride was Miss 
Am.anda Briggs. Five children were the outcome of 
this union; Clarissa, William H., Edwin, Darwin and 
I.,ucy. Clarissa wastlie wife of James Lowerj'; she 
is now a widow, lives in California and is the 
mother of five children; William makes his home 
in Blair Station, Wis. His wife was, before their 
marriage, Miss Eliza Armstrong. They have had 
twelve children, eleven of whom are now living 
and have families of their own; Edwin and Darwin 
have both married; Lncy is the wife of Alex Sey- 
mour, and of the six daughters born to them three 
are now living and married. 

Our subject's second marriage took place in this 
State. His bride w<as Miss ilaria Isbell. Two 
children were the fruit of this union — Marj^ C., 
who is the widow of James Kress; and Amanda A., 
the wife of Columbus Aulls. They had five chil- 
dren, three of whom are still living. By the third 
marriage he was united to Louisa Lathrop, the 
widow of Orville Lathrop. His fourth marriage 
was with iNIiss ^lary Hammond, who is still living, 
lie of whom we write made his advent into 
Michigan in 1S82. and came to Pittsfield Township, 
Washtenaw County, where he bought a farm four 
miles south of .Vnn Arbor. He remained there 
about three years, cleared up the place, built a 
house and then removed to Scio where he bought 
(me hundred and sixt3' acres. He remained there 
three or four years after which he sold out and 
went to Howell, Livingston County, where he pur- 
cha.sed two hundred acres of wild land, liuilt a log 
house and cleared up forty acres, remaining there 
for two years and thence removing to Lodi Town- 
ship, Washtenaw County, where he bought a par- 



430 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



tially improved farm and remained about eleven 
years, after wliicli he sold out and went to 
Grand Rapids. Kent County. He there purchased 
a farm of one hundred and twenty acres which was 
]>artially improved. After clearing twenty acres 
he i-emained two years, tlien sold out and came to 
the ])lace where he now resides. Here he bought 
one hundred and sixtj' acres, giving his son-in-law 
sixty acrp^, and now having remaining one hun- 
dred acres which is well improved and which he 
has brought up to its present state of agricultural 
perfection chiefly by his own labor. At the time 
he came here there was only a log house on the 
place. He has since built a comfortable and com- 
modious residence and enjoys life. Our subject's 
lirst vote was cast for President Jackson. He is, 
however, a Republican and loyal to his party. 



ON. J. D. COREY. The official work of 
jl this gentleman has extended over many 
years and lias brought him in'oniinentl\" he- 
fore the gaze of the })ublic, and in him his 
constituents have found a man of ability and in- 
tegrity, and one whose activities have ever been 
emjiloyed for the good of the community. He 
now makes his home in Manchester, but had his 
nativity in the East, being born April 17, 1816. 
in Otisco Township, Onondaga County. N. Y. 
Peleg Corey, his father, was a native of Rhode 
Island, but grew to maturity in New York and 
died in Onondaga County. He was an old-fash- 
ioned Democrat. His fatlier, who also bore the 
name of Peleg, was likewise a native of Rhode 
Island, and having pas.sed through the conflicts of 
the Revolutionary War lived to a good old age. 
Sarah Spalding, the mother of our subject, was 
l)orn in Saratoga County, N. Y., as was also her 
father, J. Spalding, who was a soldier in the Revo- 
lutionary War. He had a brotlier who fell in that 
conflict, and whom he buried in a sack, as no cof- 
fln could be obtained. Both the father and the 
mother of our subject were twice married, and 



our subject is the oldest of the four children of 
this second marriage who grew to maturity. The 
children of the father's first marriage are Paris and 
Amity, and the children of the mother's first mar- 
riage are ,1. Olmstead and Betsey, 3Irs. Rice. The 
own brothers and sisters of our subject were: 
Einil\-. Mrs. Clark; Catherine. Mrs. Corey; and 
Silas, deceased. 

After taking the ordinary district school tdiuM- 
tion in his native place, young Corey completed his 
studies at Onondaga Academy and taught his first 
school at quite an early age. He devoted himself 
to teaching from the time he was seventeen until 
he W!is thirty, and lectured also during a part of 
that time. His first visit to Michigan was in 183:3, 
but he afterward returned East and taught his 
first school in Oswego County. N. Y., and after- 
ward in Onondaga County, N. Y., and again came 
to Washtenaw County in 1836, where he also 
taught. His father then bought for him the farm 
of E. Fainnan, and this property the young man 
purchased of his father. For awhile he kept "bach- 
elor's hall" ill the log house and the Town Clerk's 
office was also under his roof. 

Eleven years after he c;une to .Michigan lie re- 
turned to New York to claim his bride in the per- 
son of 'Betsey (Jage, a native of Onondaga County, 
wlio was born in 1818, and became the wife of 
this enterprising young man in 1844. He had 
spent four years in New York previous to his 
marriage, as his health had seemed to demand a 
change, and while there he taught during the win- 
ter and worked upon his father's farm between 
terms. Tpeii returning to Michigan, the ^-Xiung 
couple took up their residence in the log house 
for about six months, when they moved into a 
stone hou.se, which tliey made their home until 
1868, when the property was bought by their son- 
in-law, A. L. Torrey. 

Mr. Corey now makes his home in the village 
of Manchester, where he has a handsome two-story 
brick residence. F'rom his earliest interests in po- 
litical affairs he has lieen a Democrat, and upon 
reaching his majority he was elected to the office 
of School Inspector of Otisco Township, Onondaga 
County, N. Y. He was elected Town Clerk and 
School Inspector both at the same time in Sharon 




(^^^^^^^ (2/' ^4^^^^^!^^^^ 




IH)RrRATT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



433 



Township, aud in 1845 was made Siipervisor of 
JIanehester Township. He held tlio office of JSchool 
Ins])eftor for many years. 

The lion. 5Ir. Corey's more prominent oUieial 
life liejian with his election as a Representative of 
this district in the Michigan State Legislature, in 

1866, altliough he ran for the office of State Sena- 
tor in 1860, hut was defeated l)y a small majority, 
but in 1874 he was elected State Senator. He was 
appointed United States ]\Iarshal in 1860, to take 
the census in six townships of this county. He 
lias been both Notary Public .and Justice of the 
Peace. He is prominent as a financier aud is now 
Vice-President of the People's Bank, of Manches- 
ter, and was one of the Directors of the Detroit 
and Hillsdale Railroads, into which he put $4,100. 

For many years Mr. Corey was a member of the 
\'illage Board, and he secured the passage of a 
charter for the incorporation of Manchester in 

1867. He is a Trustee of the Baptist Church and 
has been a liberal contributor to all the churches 
in the city. He was the Govermental Crop Cor- 
resjiondent. making a report each month to the 
Department of Agriculture. lie is now Crop Cor- 
respondent of this State. Tlic iKiiiiuniious home 
of Mr. and :\Irs. Corey has heeu lilest by the ad- 
vent of two children, a son and a daughter — Alice 
and Jay I)., both of whom liave grown to matur- 
itv. and lioth liaxo families of tlieir own. 



^aii^.4^ii®^5 



ELA:\1 S. WORDEN. 'I'lie gentleman who.^- 
jjortrait appears on the opposite page is a 
' retired business man and is now in the 

enjoyment of a very pleasant home in the- Athens 
of the West." Mr. 'Worden is a native of Roch- 
ester, N. v., where he was born December 2, 1827. 
His father was Weed .Hicks Worden, a manufact- 
urer of clothing, who for many years enjoyed a 
lucrative trade in the city of Rochester. He after- 
ward transferred his business location to Onon- 
daga County. N. Y.. where he died in 1836. Our 
sulijecfs mother w.as. pi-ior to lier marriage Han- 
nah, a (laiiiiliti r <if l-",l;iiii Sinilh. Kmj.. who was of 



Enghsh descent, as are also the Wordens. The 
representative from which our siilijecl is descended 
came across the ocean in the •' Mayflower," to 
escape the religious persecutions of the time, mak- 
ing settlement in Xew Knglaiid in the old Hay 
Colony. 

After the death of our subject's tather. his 
mother contracted a second marriage and was 
united to Horace Coy in Washtenaw County, she 
having removed thither in 1837. Hither they 
brought their thrifty ideas that were acquired in 
the State of New York, where one must indeed be 
an economist of the purest type to earn a living 
by cultivating the soil. They pursued their call- 
ing with reasonable success and here the mother 
resided until her decease, which took place in Oct- 
ober, 1889. She was then in her eighty -sixth 
year. She was the motlier of four children, there 
being three boys and one girl. The latter died in 
1861, having married and leaving two children. 

Klani S. attended school for a time in Onondaga 
Countj-, N. Y. In 1837 he came to Michigan, 
being still a l.-id, and a jiortion of tlie following 
ten years of his life was si)ent in the township of 
Ann Arbor, making him eighteen years of age 
when he began the active business of bread-winner 
for himself. He first became employed in a lumber 
mill and ran a .saw-mill in Washtenaw County, and 
was also interested in a saw-mill in Shiawassee 
County for four years. He continued to enlarge 
his business in this line as his means accumulated, 
until 1881, when he retired from the luinlier busi- 
ness, having been connected in that way for thirty- 
two years. 

While faithfully devoted to liis primary interest. 
which was that of the lumber business, our subject 
at the same time was |)roprietor and manager of 
a flue farm in "Washtenaw County. It comprises 
one hundred and ninety -seven acres which is in a 
fine state of cultivation and bearing the best of 
buildings. Although he has a tenant upon the 
place, it receives his special care and oversight, 
and has been no .small means of revenue to hiin. 
as it is conducted on advanced and scientific prin- 
ciples. 

Mr. Worden was married to Miss Lucy L. Doty, 
Januarv 2«. 18r>7. Mrs. ^\'orden is a daughter of 



434 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Alauson Doty, formerly of New York, of wliicli 
State she was a native. Two years later death jjiit 
a bar to their domestic liappine.ss. Jlrs. Worden's 
decease occurriiiic Septeinher 8. 1859. The present 
Jlrs. Worden was formerly 3Iiss .\.iiiia Vanatta. 
She was a resident nf Nurthfield Township, this 
county, at the time i>l' licr marriaac and is :i 
daughter of A. 15. ^'anatt;l. ( )ur suliject is a l!e- 
jjublican in his political i(^e:l^ Mnd a .-tanch tem- 
perance man. In 1885 he Imilt \n> ))resi'nt fine 
residence in the city of Ann Arbor. It is a laru:e 
and handsome frame dwellinuf of modern style of 
arcliitecture witli exijuisite furnishings and fittings. 
Since locating in the city, although not confined 
to any particular liusiness. Mr. AVordcn lias been 
fullv cngasicd in lookint!: after his varinus inleic^ils. 



,OAII G. BITTS. The petty ditiiculties of 
the district to which our subject belongs 
'41 .^ find their way to his office and also find in 
liim an arbiter that as a rule sends tiie respective 
parties away in better humor witii themselves and 
with tiie world in general tiian on coming to him, 
for he is a gentleman who. although having an 
extended knowledge of the [jrosaic aspects of life, 
is prone to see the humorous side, and guild the 
baser metal with the brightness of wit. 

Mr. Butts was born in New York in the county 
of Chautauqua .June 2. 1829; he is a son of William 
and Lucy (Spaulding) Butts. The former was a 
native of Rhode Island, where he was born in 1800. 
Early in life he devoted himself to tiie ministerial 
calling, being a preacher in the Baptist Cliurch. 
Mis decease occurred wlien about forty years of 
age. Our subject's mother still survives and is in 
lier eighty-seventh year. She is tlie daughter of 
Jonathan Spaulding of English descent. Our sul)- 
ject's father was al.so of Engli.-*li ancestry. 

Noah Butts was the youngest of two children, 
his brother Merrill now being a resident of James- 
town, N. Y. He of whom we write passed his boy- 
hood days in which he was a student in his native 
county, and in the intervals of school life helped 



his father on the farm and indeed at that time the 
intervals were longer than the time occupied by 
school duties, the increasing strength of the young 
man being needed in the i)ioneer days in the dev- 
elopment of the farm. He remained there uutilT876. 
when the family made a radical change, coming to 
Jlichigan and .-icttling in Ann Arbor. After com- 
ing here our subjed was variously engaged for 
several years. During the time he was elected 
Supervisor of the First and Sixth Wards of the 
city. In the spring of 1889 he was elected Justice 
of the Peace and since that time has held the posi- 
tion continuously. His service in this cajiaeity 
extends over a period of four terms. 

Mr. Butts was married when having attained 
tweuty-tive years of age. to Miss Amanda Thom])- 
son of Cazenovia. N. Y. She was a daughter of 
Henry Thomjjson, Esq. Our subject and his wife 
are the parents of one sou, William IL, who is 
Princi])al of the ^lichigan Military Academy, loc- 
ated at Orchard Lake, Oakland Count\-. Aside 
from the otlicial position which the original of our 
sketch occupies, he acts as agent for the National 
Loan 6i Investment Company of Detroit, and also 
for the Peun.sylvania Mutual Life Insurance Com- 
[jany. He owns a pleasant residence at No. 1 
Volland Street. He is a Democrat in politic.<< and 
gives much of his time in working for his party in 
this citv. 



F=* A 



SAHEL CAREY. Allliougli not one ..f 
the old settlers of the county Mr. Carey 
!4 has been here since March, 1869, at which 
time he purchased a farm whereon he now 
resides. Its previous o^vner was .Solomon Yanson. 
It comprises one hundred and thirty-four acres of 
fertile and jiroductive land. In the summer of 
1880 Mr. Carey built a residence which is second 
to none iu the county, both in comfort and attract- 
iveness. Jlr. Carey was born in .Seneca C'oimt\-, 
N. Y., ^[ay 4, 1834. He is a son of Mathew T. 
Carey, who was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



135 



in 1807, his wife being Amanda Dean, who was 
l)oni in Chemung County, X. Y.. at nbout tlie same 
time a.s was her liusband. 

Our subjwt'.s paternal grandfather was horn in 
Pennsylvania and was a (.Quaker, although prolia 
l)ly of Irish extraction as was also his wife. Oiii- 
subject grew to maturity in Seneca County, N. V., 
and early learned the trade of a boat-builder wliicli 
he followed for tvvelve years. He was married to 
Miss .lane E. Crager in 1851I. She also was a nat- 
ive of New York, althougli her father, Adam Cra- 
ger, came from New .Jersey. 

This amiable couple, whose views of life are those 
of people who are well qualified to have the care 
of children, have been blest with Init one child, a 
daughter, Mattie, who is the wife of Henry Van- 
Aiken, a resident of Salem. She is an amiable and 
charming woman who has a refining and elevating 
inrtuence in the community in which she makes 
her home. 

That party which advocates the protection of 
the products and manufactures of our country', and 
that encourages increased facilities for trade and 
perfection in the various lines by so protecting 
them, is the one which our subject favors. Since 
reaching a voting age he has cast the weight of his 
influence with the Republican party, believing that 
in it are fostered the j)rinciples upon which the 
future good and prosi)erity of the country depend. 



i>-^<i 



-5— 



■^OlIN KAl'P. M. i). This well known and 
highly esteemed physician and surgeon of 
Ann Arbor is a native of this county, as he 
was liorn in Xorthtield Township, July .31. 
1841. He is a son of Christian F. and Regina 
(Sehlichter) Kapp. both natives of (lennany, who 
were born in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, (ier- 
Hiany. Each of them emigrated to the I'nit^'d 
States when young, the father in 1836 and the 
mother in 1835, and here they met and were mar- 
ried in Pennsylvania, and soon after removed to 
Wa.shtenaw County, where they settled upon a 
farm in Norlhlield Township. The father carried 



on general farming and stock-raising and was one 

of the most pi'osi)erous (ierman farmers in his 
neighborhood, making a specialty of high grade 
stock. 

Christian F. Kapp servt'd his town>hip for a 
number of years as .Justice of the Peace and was .m 
stanch JJemocrat, taking an active i)art in loc;il 
politics. He was a devoted member of the Luth- 
eran Church, and his loss was deeply' felt when he 
died in 1881. His good wife survived him for six 
years and then passed away, having completed 
three-score and fifteen years. The family consisted 
of eight children and the Doctor is the eldest son 
arid second child. He passed his boyhood on the 
farm, attending first the district school and after- 
ward the Union School of .\nn Arbor, after which 
he taught for some years during the winter, work- 
ing upon the farm during summers. 

The young man had set his heart upon (jursuing 
a medical career and during his teaching days took 
up a course of study, after which he entered the 
Medical Department of the University of Michi- 
gan and there took his diploma in 1868. After 
graduation he went to Benton Harbor, where he 
practiced for six months and then located in Ann 
Arbor a few months thereafter, where he has ever 
since carried on his practice. 

The marriage of the young Doctor, in .luiy. 
1869, gave him a helpmate in the pi^rson of .Miss 
Anna A., daughter of (Jeorge Pitt, lOsq., of St. 
Louis, (iratiot County, Mich. Mr. I'itt is a native 
of England. l>ut liis wife is an American b^' birtii. 
and the wife of the Doctor was born in Soutli 
Lyons, Oakland County, Mich. Two children 
have brightened this iiome, Leander P. and Huth 
A., both of whom are students, Leander lieing in 
his medical course. 

A number of (jHicial ])ositions have been filled 
by Dr. Kai)p. as he was Town Clerk while living in 
Northfield Townshi() and was the M.ayor of Ann 
Ai'bor for four terms. He is now ex.amining surgeon 
for tlie pension oftice. to which he was appointed 
under CieveLand's administration, his political 
views being in sympathy with the Democratic 
party. The Doctor is a member of the State and 
-Vmeriean Jledical Associations, and belongs to the 
Golden Rule Lodge, No. 159, F. <fe A. M., of the 



436 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Washtenaw Chapter, No. 6, R. A. M., and of the 
Ann Arbor Comniandery, No. l.'i. K. T. Tlie hand- 
some brick house which I'onii.N the home of oiii- siili- 
jecl is situated in the midst of extensive and highh' 
adorned grounds, and is located at No. 74 Soutli 
Main Street. 



HANlv \AN1)AWAHKJ-:H. 



Amont;' tlie 



iJ^fej native sons of Ann Arbor wlio have in tliis 
!k\ city devoted tliemselves untiringly to 
the development of the business resources of their 
native home we find the name of Mr. Vandawar- 
ker, who was l)orn Marcli '.I. l.s.")(>. and is the 
youngest of six children in tlie family of .lacob 
and Sarah A. (Branch) Vandawarker. Both of 
these parents were natives of the Empire State and 
there grew to maturity liefore coming to AVashte- 
naw County. The father was a shoemaker b^- trade 
and followed this line of work until he took up the 
mercantile branch of this business and oi)ened a 
boot and shoe store in j\.un Arbor. 

The mother of our subject. Miss Branch, was a 
resident of Washtenaw County-, her jiarents being 
among the very first settlers hei'e. The father of 
our subject was one of the successful merchants of 
his day and accumulated a large property, and 
made his maik as an enterprising and public-spir- 
ited citizen, as he took hold of every movement 
which was calcidated to enhance the prosperity of 
the city. He continued in active life up to a short 
time previous to his death, wliicli occurred ^Larcli 
;5, 1881, in his sixty-third year, and his wife sur- 
vived until May 6, 1888, when she passed away, in 
her stxty-eighth year. Of their six children only 
three are now living, nanielv: -lulia E., the wife of 
Herman Krapp, a substantial busiiu'ss man of Ann 
Arbor, engaged in manufacturing sash, doors and 
blinds; Sarah, now the wife of Dr. 1). Wnrren. of 
Milford, Mich.; and our sul)jecl. 

Frank A'andawarker attended first the ward 
schools and later the High School of Ann Arbor, 
where he prepared himself for college, and he 



afterward entered the Medical Department of the 
I'nivcrsity of Michigan, from which lie graduated 
in l.ssd. lie then entered the pharmacy, where he 
pursued his studies foi- about a year, until the death 
of his father recalled him from school, and he then 
took charge of his father's estate, and after settling 
it uj) he was engaged in looking after his own 
individual interests. 

On the 8th of October, 1888, Mr. \'andawarker 
was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Scanlan, of 
Vpsilanti, at which place she was born and reared 
to womanhood. Her parents, Hugh and Mary 
Scanlan, were among the very early settlers of 
Vpsilanti. One son, Edward J., has blessed the 
niniiiage of Mr. and Mrs. Vandawarker. 

Mr. N'nndawarker is a stockholder in the First 
National Hank at Ann Arbor, and in his |)olitical 
connection he is a Republican, lie is a member of 
the .\nu Arbor Shooting Club, in which he enjoys 
a good hunt with dog and gun. He occupies the 
old homestead which was his father's, a large brick 
house at No. Ifi North Fifth Street and herein is 
found a true home and a center of hospitable life. 



l^i-^l 



HTIUK -lOSEPlI :MLMMERY. This gen- 
tleman who is a resident at No. 3 S. 
i Thayer Street, and who is Superintendent 
{Q^l of the High School building was born in 

County Kent, at Great Chart. England. March 20. 
1843. He is a sou of .Samuel and Margaret 
(Kingsnorth) .Mummery, natives of County Kent 
and descendants of an old English family — one 
that formerly enjoyed a high financial position. 
Our subject was reared on a farm until eighteen 
years of age and then learned the boilermaker's 
trade at the Southeastern Railroad works at ^Vsli- 
ford, Kent, and when twenty-three years of age 
went to London, having spent five years at his 
trade. 

For four \eais our subject was engaged as a 
skilled laborer in London in the ship yards and in 
18t;9 in company with two brothers — David and 
Charles — came to America, landing at Quebec, 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



437 



June 13, 1869. He first worked .it Niagarii Fjill^ 
iiiirl for throe years had charge of the water works 
foi- the city of Clifton, then began work at liis 
trade in tiie city of Detroit in the shop.s of INle- 
(Jregor, and at Wyandotte assi.sted in the ship 
yards and helped to liuild the "E. B. Ward" tlie 
first boat l)uilt at that plaee. lie worked thcri' for 
nearly a year. 

Mr. Munimer\ then had charge of tlie engine in 
tlie silver smelting works at Wyandotte lV)r two 
years and then entered the locomotive woiks at 
Detroit and then engaged to run the engine of 
John Keek in the furniture works at Ann Arbor, 
remaining in this ])osition for two years. In 1877 
lie received the api)ointmeiit of Janitor and Super 
intendent of the High School building and has 
continued in that position up to the present 
tune. 

( )utsidt' of his mechanical work our subject h.as 
aecpiired a small farm of thirty acres devoted 
to fruit-raising, here raising the finest peaches, 
(juinces and ne.arly all the small fruits, taking en- 
tire charge of the orchard himself. He has here 
planted three or four acres of raspberry bushes, 
twelve hundred pe.ich trees and nearly two him- 
dred and fifty (piince trees. Of the two brothers 
who came to this country with iiim, David lives at 
Staunton, Alich., and is there engaged in the man- 
ufacture of boilers, and Charles works in tin' 
boiler shops in the (irand Tiunk Railway shops at 
Stratford, Ontario, Canada. 

Our subject was married IMarcli 2;'). 18()4, at 
Asliford, County Kent, England, to Miss Elizabeth 
Bockman, a native of the same place. The.\ had 
grown up together and knew each others pecul- 
iarities perfectly. The marriage proved a most 
happy one and as the years have passed children 
have been given to their care and guidance. Their 
mimes are as follows: Elizabeth, Arthur, James 
S.'imuel, Benjamin, Alfred and Mary. They lost 
two children — Joseph, who died at the age of 
eleven years, and David who died when four 
years old. Elizabeth is now Mrs. Arthur Kitson; 
.\i-thur is at Detroit, a graduate of the pharmaceu- 
tical department of the State Cniversity belonging 
to the class of 'H;); James is a student in tlie den- 
tal department and will graduate with the class of 



'1)2; Samuel will graduate in the High School 
scientific course, with the class of '92. Our sub- 
ject is independent in politics, voting latlier for 
the man and measures than for |)arties. He is a 
strong advocate of temperance and a member of 
the ^lethodist Episeojjal Church. Mr. JIummery is 
one of eight children, there having been six sons 
and two daughters. One of the latter died in 
New Zealand; all the others are still living. Our 
subject's father died I)eceml)ei- M. IKUll. iit the agi' 
of eiglitvtwo \cai's. 



-^-^t^l^g^-^®!^^^^ 



OTTLEir. SCHNEIDER, of the firm of All- 
_^ mendinger iV Schneider, proprietors of the 

^JjJ Central Floiu'ing Mills of Ann Arbor, was 
born in Wittenberg, (iermany, Ma^- 2(5, 1846, and 
is the son of John O. and Mary (Lintz) Schneider, 
the father being a farmer in the old country and 
also from the time he removed with his wife to 
this country until the day of his death. 

There were six sons and three daughters in 
the family in which Oottleib Schneider lielongs 
and he is the second youngest of the boys. His 
education was received in his native country and 
there he received training in practical farm work 
and entered upon the life of an agriculturist. In 
1866 he emigrated to the United States landing in 
New York City whence he came directly to .Vnn 
Arbor where for two years he worked upcni a farm. 
He then took u\\ employment in a flouring mill as 
assistant miller under (ioodell & Henley and re- 
mained with them for eighteen years, being ex- 
tremely' useful in what was then known as the 
Delhi Mills. 

Mr. Schneider then formed a partnership with 
jNIr. G. F. Allmendinger and Albert Ales, under the 
firm name of Ales, Allmendinger & Co., but two 
years later Mr. Ales sold his interest to his two (lart- 
ners, leaving the firm Allmvndiuger it Schneider. 
Tliis company does a large business, manufacturing 
a superior article of fiour as the mill has a complete 
roller system. Mr. Schncidci- married Miss \'ei-- 
nonaka Maiilbasch. of Ann Aibor. who is. like 



438 



PORTRAIT AND BKJGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



himself a native of Germanj". To them have been 
trraiited three children, Rosina. Sopiiia and Birdie. 
The (rolden Rule Lodge A. F. ct A. ^L, c(niiils 
Mr. Schneidi'j' ns one of its valuable meml)er.s, as 
al.'io does tin- .\iui Arbor Chapter R. A. M. In 
jiolities he is a devoted Republican and he and his 
good wife are earnest members of the Lutheran 
Church and have their nttrMctivc home at No. S'2 
Soutli Firsi Street. 



:^/RANKLIN L. I'ARKER is an attorn ey-at- 
X' law of wide rei)utation and located in the 
city of Ann Arbor. He was born at Peri'w 
Genesee County, N. Y., March lit, 1H20, and is a 
son of Klisha B. and J)elia (Davis) Parker. The 
former was born in A'ermont and was the son of 
Joseph Parkei'. who in turn was also a son of .Iosej)h 
I'arker. .Sr., who fought as a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary War, lieing in the renowned engagement at 
Bunker Hill. His son Joseph was in the battle of Sar- 
atoga. The family were earl\- settlers near Charles- 
ton, Mas.*., and vicinity. After the Revolutionary 
War the grandfathei' of our subject moved to Ver 
mont, subsequently to Genesee County, N. Y. The 
family of our suliject's motlier came originally 
from Connecticut. In 1829 Elisha B. Parker and 
his father-in-law, Reuben Davis, came to Washte- 
naw Coiuity and located on the borderland betvveen 
this and Wayne County, in what is now Salem, se- 
curing a tract of (Government land in the fall of 
that year that comprised two hundred and forty 
acres, one hundred and sixty acres of which was in 
Washtenaw County. Elisha B. ccmtinned to live 
here during his life, liis decease taking place on 
the farm in 1849, at the age of fifty-six years: his 
wife survived him until August 16, 1863. lier de- 
cease occurring at Niles, wliithei- she had moved 
about 18.54, thereafter making a home with a 
daughter, Silesia .lauc. Mrs. B. !•'. Fisli. of tliat 
town. 

The issue of the marriage of the parents of our 
subject was as follows: Franklin L., Peuben D., 
who is now a physician located at St. .Joseph. Jlicli., 
Corvdon B., who wasalso aphysician at St. .Joseph. 



where he died, October 28, 1885, at the age of 
twenty-seven ye.ars; Silesia, who became Mrs. FMsh; 
and ^larcella A. Our subject was reared upon the 
farm until 1840. He received his education at a se- 
lect school at Plymouth and began to teach at the 
age of eighteen. For a year and a half he was thus 
engaged at Columbus, Ohio, in the city High 
Schools, being then about twenty years old. He 
ilien entered (ir.anville College, Licking County. 
Ohio, a Ba])tist institution. Here he prepared 
himself for and entered the Michigan University 
in 1843. He had made his home with his 
grandparents during the greater part of his j-outh 
and derived some small assistance from the estate 
that they left, but his main dependence for support 
was upon his own efforts and the money that he 
saved from teacliing. He graduated in the Class of 
'47 — <me notable for the number of men that after- 
ward became distinguished. It comprised twelve 
members. John S. Newbury, of Detroit, was one 
of the members of the class and a room-mate of 
our subject. F^lnumd Christian, an eminent phy- 
sician of Wyandotte, was also numbered among 
the "i)oys." 

Soon after graduating the original of our sketch 
entered the law office of AVilson it Hubbard, of 
Ann Arbor, and was admitted to the bar March 19, 
18.')0, the day he was thirty years old and after a 
rigid examin.ation. He did not, however, long 
continue the practice of his profession, turning his 
attention to real estate in which he has been 
very successful and he haii accumulated a hand- 
some property. He owns a large farm near Lan- 
sing as well as property' in other counties. He has 
also landed interests in the city. 

Our subject was married May 2.5, 1865, at Ann 
Arbor, to Miss Luc_\' D. Stow, who was a native of 
Connecticut and who m.ide her home with her aunt, 
Mrs. E. W. Morgan, from the age of sixteen. 'Mr. 
and Mrs. Morgan never had children of their own. 
^Irs. Parker while an inmate of her uncle's family 
was surrounded by the happiest inttuences, Mr. 
Morgan lieing an eminent attorney and counselor 
at law at Ann Arbor and a man who was one of 
the most enterprising and progressive early resi- 
dents in the city. He was (me of the oldest prac- 
ticing attorneys in AVashtenaw County. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



439 



Mr. aud Mrs. Parker are the parents of several 
children, some of whom have reached years of 
manhood and womanliood and have become useful 
and efficient members of society. The eldest, Lucy 
Anna, graduated at the High School; she still 
brightens the home with her presence and is a mu- 
sician of no small talent; William M. died June 
.•?(l, 1888, in California when in his twenty-first 
year; he had engaged in fiuit growing in San .Ta- 
cinto, Cal., and fell a victim to typhoid fever. 
Franklin C. is now in his twenty-first year; lie is a 
graduate from the High School and is now his 
father's assistant in the olHce. Edwin K. and .lolin 
M. are still students in the High School. 

Politically our sul)ject affiliates with the Repub- 
lican party. He is not, however, in any sense a 
politician nor has he an ambition for local oHice. 
In their chiu-ch relations the family as a whole 
belongs to the I'rcsbyterian body. Mr. Parker is 
not a member although he is a constant attendant. 
Our subject and his f.amily occu|)V a fine lioiue ;it 
Xo. 24 Ann Street, corner of Fifth .\ venue. 



•^(OHX AUMBUrSTKH. One who has retired 
from the active duties of farm life, having 
accumulated a comfortable i)ropertv by 
i(^[/' which he can spend the later years of his 
life in ease and freedom from the petty annoy- 
ances of restricted financial standing, our subject 
now lives in Ann Arbor, his residence being loca- 
ted at No. fiO East Washington Street. He was 
born November 30, 1817, in llohenzollern-Sigma- 
ringen, in the village of Dettlingen, (Germany. He 
is a son of (ieorge and Karliara (Kern) Armbru 
ster. 

The original of our sketch landed in America in 
1838, the port which he first touched being New 
York. His advent into the country was greeted by 
the noise of guns, the jtopping of firecnickeis and 
the flaunting of flags that proclaimed the memorial 
day of the Declaration of Independence. He had 
made the journey hither on a three-mast sailing 
vessel, tlie journey taking him foi'ty-four days on 



the ocean. The name of the vessel w.as the "John 
George." After a short time he proceeded by rail 
to Ypsilauti. The family at that time comprised 
father, mother, a brother Joseph, Barbara, .\ntoine 
and Magdalene. .loseph .settled in Scio Township 
and died at the age of seventy-nine years; Barbar.a 
married George Needheimer and lived in Ann 
Arbor, both are now dece.ased; Antoine lives 
about three miles west of Ann Arbor; Magdalene 
married Adam StoUsteimer of Scio Township .and 
died in 1886. 

The father of o\n- subject settled in Scio Town- 
ship near his lirotiier Antoine and died April 14. 
1843, at the age of fifty-nine years; his wife died 
November 30, 1844, at the age of sixt\ -two years. 
After working for two years for his father our 
sul)ject engaged with .let Ingallsin the city at $144 
per year. After some time he purchased eighty 
acres of new land, the price of which was -^r)00. 
but he was enabled to pay only P2i)0 down. In 
1842 he began the improvement of the plair and 
Septemljer 5 of that year located upon it as his 
home. He added another eighty acres and placed 
man\' improvements upon it, residing there until 
1866, when he bought one hundred and sixty 
acres of the old Holmes farm in Pittsfield Township, 
three miles south of Ann Arbor. 

In 1878 Mr. Arnibruster came tt) Aim Ailioi- and 
bought a fine property, in the meantime looking 
•after his other landed interests. Our subject was 
married August 27. 1842, to Elizabeth Niethammer 
of Scio Township. The^' had a family of seven 
children whose names are as follows: (ieorge, 
.Tohn, Herman, Reuben, Aaron, Oscar and Regina. 

Our subject was again married August 18, 1877, 
his bride being Louisa Walz, widow of Charles 
Walz. The lady was in her maiden da3'S a Miss 
Armbruster, an adopted daughter of .loseph Arm- 
bruster of Scio. This marriage has been graced I)v 
the advent of one child, a daughter, whose name 
is Laura; she is now in her fourteenth year. Mrs. 
Armbruster is the mother of three children liy her 
first marriage. They are Sophia, who is Mrs. 
Charles Feldkamp, of Saline Township; Martha, 
who is Mrs. W. ^'. Rinehart, whose husb.and is an 
.attorney of Seattle, Wash., and a graduate of the 
Class of "Sit of the :\Iichigan I'lii versify and 



140 



PORTKAJT AND B]()GKAP1IICAL ALBUM. 



Josepl), deceased. Our subject is a Rei)ulilic:in in 
polities. Tn his church relations he has Ijecii associ- 
ated with the Methodist Episcopal liody. 

On first lieginniiig life for himself lie was much 
ham|)ered for means. Ilis first team was a yoke of 
steers for which he paid $1C. lie also bought a 
cow for #7 and for these he paid in wood which he 
sold at .seventy-five cents per cord. He wtirked, 
however, to such purpose that his farm was en- 
tirely paid for at the second year, lie was a re- 
doulitahle woodsni.nn and could pile a cord of wood 
in one and a half hours and on a wager for a i)ound 
of plug tob.accf), cut and piled two cords of wood 
in two hours and forty-five minutes. Our suliject's 
])resent wife is a lady of striking culture and tact. 
( )iie is iiivohiiitarily impressed with her being a 
woni.MU of more than ordinary ability and refine- 
iru'iil. 



W A( '( )I'. LAliRENC ; AVER. As Ann Arbor is 
the center of so rich and wide an agricul- 
tural region and is so accessible by rail to 
the great distributing points and ports of 
the country, the enterprises are numerous for deal- 
ing in the staples of the region. While manufac- 
tures are still in their infancy, the iniddlemeu that 
are the medium between producer and the manu- 
facturer are numerous. One of the most successful 
of these firms is that of which our subject is junior 
jiartncrand which does business under the firm 
title of Heinzmann it Laubengayer, dealers in wool, 
grain, flour, feed and hides. Our subject is a pro- 
duct of this county, although, as his name would 
indicate, he is of German descent. He was bom 
in the township of Seio. Septemlier 14. 1843, and is 
a son of .1. Fred and Christina (Schmidt) Lauben- 
gayer, both of whom were natives of Wittenberg, 
(Jermany. They were ninrried in Scio Township, 
this county. 

The parents of our subject emigrated to the 
United States in 1830, landing at New York City, 
thence coining direct to Washtenaw County and 
located in Scio Township upon a farm where 



the father carried on a general agricultural bus- 
iness, devoting himself principally to stock-rais- 
ing and the growing of wheat. Me was one of 
the prosperous tillers of the soil of his neigh- 
borhood, employing the advanced German scien- 
tific methods in m.aking his tract productive. 
His decease occurred April 22, 1891. He w^as born 
in 180.5. The mother of our subject is still living 
on the old homestead, being in her .'seventy-. second 
year. She is the mother of four children, three of 
wiioni are living — ^Fredcrick, .I.acob .and Tobias. 

.Tacob Laubengayer passed his boyhood in his 
native county and spent his early days in attend- 
ance at the district school of his neighborhood. He 
remained under the home roof of his parents until 
twenty-one years old. After reaching his majority he 
started out in life on his own account, still making 
his home, however, with his parents until reaching 
the age of twenty-four years when he liought a 
small farm which he l)egan to develop and to en- 
gage in stock-raising, though his dealing in stock 
was in a small way. However, he kept adding to 
his farm until he was the posses.sor of two hundred 
and forty-seven acres, tiiking great pride in keep- 
ing a fine breed of cattle and good sheep. He 
continued to be actively eng.aged in agricultural 
pursnits until December, 1889. when he removed 
to Ann Arbor and embarked in the wool business 
in connection with various parties. In the last 
named year he formed a partnership with .Tohn 
Heinzmann and has dealt largely in the products 
above mentioned ever since. In connection with 
this business they also handle dry wood, having 
e.Ktensive wood yards near the grain elevator on 
the Toledo <k Ann Arbor Railroad. The firm handles 
all kinds of grain and also does quite a large busi- 
ness in grinding feed for the farmers in the vicinity 
and also for general s.ale. The celebrated biiindsof 
flour from the Pillsbury Mills of Minneapolis are 
here found and the firm with which our subject is 
connected does a large business in this directicm. 
They doubtless have the largest de.T ling in wool of 
any firm in Washtenaw County. 

Mr. Laubengayer was married in December 1880, 
to Miss Amelia Weimcr, of Scio Township, this 
(ounty. She is a daughter of Michael Weimer, 
her parents having come to this country from Ger- 




AC.H.I 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



443 



nian\-. 0\ii' suJ)ject aud liis wife are tlie iiarents 
of three eliildren, whose uainesare Melinda, Rolicit 
and Walter. Tlie original of this sketch w:is elet-ted 
.histiee of the I'eace of Lodi Township, being near 
tlie line of that township. He casts his vote witli 
the Democratic party, in whose principles and prac- 
tices he lias unbounded faith. Our subject resides 
at No. 7{i W. Huron Street, where he has a very 
lih'asant huiiic. 



y'ILLIAi\l H. IvAV, a representative of one 
of the prominent and pioneer families of 
^Vashtenaw County and a intelligent 
farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 2, Ypsi- 
lanti Township, is the gentleman whose portrait is 
presented on the opposite page. He was born Jan- 
uary IT). l!s;i;>. in Washtenaw County, this State, 
and is a son of the Hon. Ezra D. and Melinda 
(Kinne) Lay. The former was a native of Conn- 
ecticut and the latter of Xew York. The ancestry 
on l>oth sides of the house is said to be English. ( )ur 
suliject's grandsire, Aaron Lay, was a soldier in the 
AVar of 1812. 

Hon. Ezra D. Lay, fatlier of our subject, emi- 
grated to this county in 1838 and settled on the 
farm where onrsubject now resides. The few hun- 
dred dollars that he brought with him were wisely 
invested and brought him a good return; although 
the land was wild upon which he settled, the soil 
was rich and as the work of clearing progressed 
:ind tlie crftps were put up, it yielded a ricii return. 
He was among the first pioneers who made nursery 
work a business and for twenty-five years his farm 
was considered the most reliable place from which to 
»et fine ti'ees and vines. He was, however, a general 
fanner and his interests in other directions were 
large. He built tiie fir>t greenhouse in this secticni 
of IMichigan. and ])urchasers of fine house plants 
used to come to him from as far as Detroit, knowing 
that they could ever find there a finea.*soi'tmcnt in 
tliis line. 



Our subject is one of three children, only two of 
whom are living. They are Susan M., the wife of 
Dr. William Patter.son of Ypsilanti and William 
H. For ten years the fatiier served as Supervis(tr 
of Ypsilanti Township and was known as the "war 
Supervisor" of his township, he being a strong 
I'nion man who used his influence in every possi- 
ble way in favor of abolition. He was a strong 
Republican in politics and served in the Michigan 
State Legislature during the session of 1875. He 
was one of the influential men of Ypsilanti and 
Washtenaw County, of which last he has served as 
President of the Pioneer Society and was well 
known throughout this section of the country. He 
departed this life April 28, 1890. His widow still 
survives and lives with her son AVilliam H. She is 
now an octogenarian in years, one of the oldest 
surviving pioneer women of the county. Her hus- 
band was a man of large practical experience and 
received the advantages of a good education in 
AVestern New York, to which State his parents had 
moved in 1812, locating near the city of Rochester. 
In his death the county lost one of its most influ- 
ential citizens. For years he was a Ruling Elder 
in the Presbyterian Church at Ypsilanti. ()n his 
decease he left a valuable estate. 

William H. Lay throve under the fostering influ- 
ence of affairs in his native place. He was educated 
in the High School of Ypsilanti and on arriving at 
manhood showed a keen interest in the politics of 
the locality. In national affairs he votes with the 
Repulilican j)arty, but in local government he con- 
siders the man paramount to party. He has served 
in various local capacities, as School Inspector, Ju.s- 
tice of the Peace and on the Board of Review of Ypsi- 
lanti Township. He is a member of the Presbyter- 
ian Church, taking an active interest in the spread 
of the (iospel work, and is also a wc>rker in the 
Sunday-school. 

Our subject is the owner of over two hundred 
'acres of land, most of which is under a high state 
of cidtivation. As a business man and a gentleman 
he enjoys the respect of his associates, being re- 
garded as one of the most intelligent and leading 
members of society in this locality. The family to 
which he belongs enjoys an envial>le ]irecedence as 
an old famil\' of excellent standins. W»' take 



444 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



pleasure in presenting them and the worthy scion 
whose name appears above to our readers in this 
work wherein appear;* the history of so manj' reji- 
rescntative people. 






1/ ()R.\CE T. BALDAVIN. Among the most 
ji intelligent and highly respected families of 
J^ima Township, we may well note this one 
whose beautiful farm is located upon section 
8. ]\Ir. Baldwin was born August 9, 1836 in Syl- 
van Township, this county, and with the exception 
of ten years which he spent in Indiana he has ever 
resided in his native county and his history has 
run along the same lines chronologically with that 
of his native State. 

He of whom we write was so unfortunate as to 
be orphaned liy the death of his mother when he 
was a child of two years of age, and after that he 
was brought up by strangers until he reached the 
age of fourteen, from which time on he took 
charge of his own affairs and supported himself. 
He began working for wages at 15 a month and 
the next year he had proved his worth so that he 
had an increase of wages to $8 a month. He con- 
tinued in this way gaining in strength, manliness 
and value to his employers until he reached the 
age of twenty-three years and during that time he 
spent two years at the blacksraitli trade. 

On the 1st of March, 18C(), Horace Baldwin 
and Caroline E. Pierce were married in Lima 
Township. Tliis lady is the daughter of Darius 
and Nancy (.\ruold) Pierce, who are elsewhere 
mentioned more fully in this volume. To our sub- 
ject and his wife were born three sons, Frank H., 
Charles T. and Alviu D. In 1861 Mr. Baldwin 
purchased a farm of ninety-six acres from which 
he proceeded to clear the trees and having done so 
he put tlie land in condition to produce crops. Of 
this he has sold forty acres and now owns lifty-six 
acres of farm land and twelve acres of wood lan<l. 
He is deeply interested in all matters tliat tend to 
improve the social and industrial condition of the 
.agricultural community, and he is inominently 



identified with the Grange. His wife is an earnest 
and active worker in the charities and services of 
the Congregational Church. 

To their sons Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have given 
the best advantages for education and preparations 
for the duty of life. Frank is a graduate of Olivet 
College and is at [>resent teaching, and was at one 
time principal of the Union School at Spring Lake, 
Ottawa County, this State. Charles, the second 
son, resides in Stockl^ridge, Ingham County, and is 
Assistant Cashier in the Bank. Calvin D. has taken 
a course as Civil Engineer and has passed examin- 
ation for Government Surve\or. While Mr. Bald- 
win believes earnestly in the jjrinciples which have 
ever distinguished the Republican party he con- 
siders the saloon power now the chief enemy of 
civilizaticm and casts his A'Ote and influence with 
the I'rohiliitionists. 



ON. WILLIAM D. HARHIMAN. This 
well-known resident of Ann Arbor who 
has been practicing law here for many 
years and who has in his various homes 
filled the responsible positions of a member of the 
Legislatui'e, State Senator and .Judge of the Pro- 
bate Court was born in Peacham. Xt.. October 24, 
1833. Joshua liarriin.an. the father of our subject, 
was born in the same town in 1795 and was the 
son of John Harriman, a native of Grantham, N. 
II., born in 1768 and he was a descendant of an 
English family which came from County Kent, 
England, to New England about 163tl. 

The mother of our subject, Mary Elkins, was also 
born in Peacham, Vt., in 1799, and was a daughter 
of David Elkins, who was for some years High 
■Sheriff of Caledonia County, Vt., Init before his 
death removed to Utica, X. Y. The father of 
Daniel Elkins was one of the first settlers at Peach- 
am. and was captured during the Revolutionary 
War, and carried a inisoner with Ethan Allen to 
England. 

He of whom we write was educated in the dis- 
trict schools and academv at Peacham after which 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIl I( A I . Al.i;i M. 



445 



he taiiijlit for some time. In 1K59 lie weut to 
California, and located at Dutch Flat. He wa.s 
elected to re|)i'e.sent his district in tlie State Lesiis- 
lature in tlie fall of 1860, and subsequently was 
elected State Senator for two consecutive terms. 
In 1864 he was elected Clerk of the Supreme Court 
of California on the Republican State ticket, re- 
ceiving; the largest niajoritj- of anyone on the 
ticket, with one exception. In 1869 he returned 
East as far as ^Michigan and located in Ann Arbor, 
where he was elected Mayor for three terms. In 
1872 he voted for (ireelev and since then has acted 
with the Democratic party. 

For twelve years ^Ir. Harriman li.as been a mem- 
ber of tlie School Board and for foiu- years he was 
President of that body. In 1876 he was elected 
Judge of Probate of Washtenaw Count3% and held 
the otHce for three successive terms of four years 
each. He is a stanch believer in free trade and 
liberal in his religious belief and for twenty years 
has been one of the Trustees of the Unitniian 
Church of Ann Arbor. 

In 1863 Mr. Harriman married Mrs. Jlaria Cham- 
berlin, of California. She was born in A'ermont 
but had been living for some years in California, 
and to them has i>een born a son and a daughter, 
Martha E. and Carl E. Mr. Harriman is President 
of the Michigan Furniture Coinpan}- and Vice 
President of the Ann Arbor Savings Bank and his 
plea.sant home is to be found in a large elegant 
brick residence, at the corner of Washtenaw and 
(ieddes Avenues. 



m>^^<i 



m 



;|/()HN E. IHWIN. Among the old soldieis 
whose life records are to be found in the an- 
nals of Washtenaw County and whose 
braver3' and endurance upon the battlefield 
and in the inarch are a story well worth telling, we 
can give the name which appears at the head of 
this j)aragraph. His father, James Irwin, was liorn 
in New York in 1810 and was first a blacksniitli 
and later a farmer. The mother. Sibyl Hunter, 
was born in Feliruarv. 1.H12, ui the "Land of 



Steady Habits." The father, when a young man 
in 1831. came to ^lichigan and made his li(mie in 
Saline being apprenticed to Mr. Kanouse of tliat 
place. 

The mother of our subject came with her [jarents 
to Michigan in 1834 and there made their perman- 
ent home in Sharon Township on section 22, and 
here both Nathaniel and Rhoda (Peck) Hunter 
passed from life. Their daughter was united in 
marriage with James Irwin in this townshii) and 
they owned a farm in F'reedom Township, upon 
which they settled and proceeded to improve it. 
They remained there for a number of j'ears but 
fifty vears ago they removed to the farm now 
ow-ned liy our subject. It was then uncleared and 
unl)roken, being but just taken from the Govern- 
ment and had eighty acres of timbered openings, 
w-hich the father cleared and improved. In 1869 
he removed to Grass Lake Township, Jackson 
Couiit\', and there he died in 1887 his good wife 
surviving him for three years. They were the 
l)arents of three children, tw-o of whom are now 
living. 

Leman Irwin, the oldest son of James and Sibyl 
Irwin was a soldier in Company F, Twentieth 
]\Iichigan Infantry and was killed while in front of 
I'etersbui'g, June 17, 1864, having served for two 
years, and being then twenty-five years of age. 
The sister of our subject who is now living is 
Hattie S. Irwin. 

The parents of our subject were members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church in Sharon and were 
among those who formed the first class here. Dur- 
ing those early days the father who was quite a 
singer w-as a chorister and for many j'ears he was 
Class-Leader and also served as Steward and Trus- 
tee. He took a great interest in political move- 
ments and in early life was a Whig and later be- 
came a Republii/an. His interest in education led 
him to be placed upon the locnl School Board. 
John E. Irwin was born May 9, 1S41, in Freedom 
Township, and after studying in the district school 
here he attended the Normal School at Ypsilanti 
and began teaching at the age of eighteen. His 
home throughout life except during his army ex- 
perience has lieen in this townshii>, ami he helped 
his father to build the home wliicli is now his. 



446 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPfflCAL ALBUM. 



Young Irwin, having barely reached his major- 
ity, enlisted July 19, 18fi2, in Company B, Twen- 
tieth Michigan Infantry, (ieu. Cutcheon having 
come here for the purpoise of enlisting the young 
men of Sharon Township. Tlie regiment was or- 
ganized at Jackson, and our subject having enlist- 
ed as a private, received the appointment of Fiftli 
Sergeant of his company. The Twtaitieth was sent 
to Washington, D. C, and was attached to the 
Ninth Army Corps under (tcu. A. E. Burnside. 
They were soon sent out to the vicinity of Alex- 
andria, Va., but after returning to Washington 
were sent toward South Mountain but did not take 
part in that conflict. They were in the advance- 
on Fredericksburg and were active in the follow- 
ing encounters: A fight with Morgan's Guerrillas, 
Horseshoe Bend, the sieges of Mcksburg and 
Knoxville after whicli they were assigned to the 
Army of the Potomac and again advanced toward 
Richmond. They were under Gen. Grant during 
tlie conflicts of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania 
and in all took i>art in thirty battles. 

Our young soldier was wounded while in front 
of Petersburg, but not so severely as to compel him 
to drop out of the ranks. He served for two 
years and ten m<mths and at the close of his term 
was given a commission as Second Lieutenant. 
Tlie brigade to which his regiment was attnched 
maiched into Petersburg, Va.. the morning after 
its evacuation by Gen. Robert K. Lee, and did pro 
vost duty there while the flag of the ^Michigan 
Sharp Shooters floated from the top of the court- 
house. After his discharge .luiu' 1. IKfi/i. he 
returned to the farm. 

The marriage of .lolin 1',. liwin and Amy K. 
Rice, a daughter of .1. W. Hice of this townshij) 
took place in 186it. She was born in Stockbridge. 
June 30, 1848. After marriage they settled upon 
his father's homestead and liave since made that 
their home. Their two children are Fred C. and 
Max H.; the former graduated at (Jrass Lake High 
School in June. 18,S9. 

Our subject has one huiulied and forty acres of 
rich and arable land and all but twenty of it is 
under cultivation. He and his excellent wife are 
active members of the Methodist Eiii-scopal Church 
in which he is Steward, Trustee and Class Leader, 



besides superintending and taking an active inter- 
est in the Sunday-school. He is an ardent Grand 
Army man and belongs to Post. No. 228. at (Tra.<s 
Lake where he has served as clia])lain. He is a 
member of the School Board here and takes an act- 
tive interest in promoting educational progress; 
has been Road Overseer and Justice of the I'eace 
and was for many years a member of the Republi- 
can i)arty hut is now a Prohibitionist and strfingly 
interested in temperance wf)rk. 



EHMAN.N Hl'TZEL is a member of the thin 
of Hutzel tt Co., plumbers, steam and gas 
fitters, and dealers in paints, oils and gla.ss. 
their place of business being at No. 14 
South Main Street. Ann Arbor. 'Sir. Hutzel was 
born in this city April ;>. 18.50. his father being 
August F. Hutzel, and his mother Sophia (^lann) 
Hutzel. The mother emigrated to the Fnited 
States in the year 1824 from (4erinany, coming 
to ^Michigan in 1820, and the father in 1830. 
They were married in Washtenaw County. Mr. 
Hutzel at that time being a trader and a prac- 
tical business man. afterward went into the paints, 
oil and glass business in Ann Arbor until 18r)(i. 
when he added a stock of groceries, continuing in 
the business until 1888, when he retired, transferring 
the business to his two sons. He died the same 
year, aged eighty-three. His wife still survives 
him and is now residing with her daughter at the 
oil! homestead. They were the parents of twelve 
children, eight of whom are living, six girls and 
two boy.-.. Hermann being the eldest of the family. 
Hermann Hutzel was educated in the schools of 
Ann .\rbor. which, with the High School, have a 
very high standing. On leaving school he en- 
tered the store of his father as an assistant, after- 
ward i)urchasing an interest in the same. In 1878 
he added to his business piping, plumbing and 
steam supplies, not only doing Inisiness in Ann 
Arbor, but in diflfereut parts of the State, besides 
doing considerable in the building and con.stnic- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIC AT. ALBUM. 



447 



lion of waterworks, cliietly llic watf rwcjiks at Kl- 
Sf ill. III., and also at Streator. 'I'lu- Iliitzcl l?ros. 
built the waterworks at Ann .Vibor. Mr. Iliilzel 
was married, in 1877, to Miss Paulina (imf. of 
.\nn ArI)or, daugiiter of Christian (4raf. Six cliil- 
dreii have been the result of this union. 

()ur subject has al\v;i\> been a |iublie-s|iirileil 
man and has held muiiy |)r(>miiienl oHiei's. He 
was Alderman from the .Second Ward for foiu' 
years, member of the Hoard of Piitilic Works two 
years and \'ice President of the AInian Dinijer 
Piano <t Organ Company. He and his wife are 
members of the Lutheran Church. In lii.s politi- 
cal views he is an advocate of the Democratic 
party. They reside in a handsome brick house on 
one of the finest streets of the citv. 



I^H^^ 



^iLVAII P. PEU(;i'S()X i.s the proi)rietor 
of tlie Ferguson Cart it Cai-riage Factory. 
k now located in Ann Arbor, although the 
plant was originally made at De.xter, this 
county. In 1887 the works were moved to this 
city and located upon the ])resent site, and the 
lirm now occupies good buildings with all the ma- 
chinery that is necessary, of the latest design. 
They also employ the most skilled workmen, keep- 
ing from fifty to sixty men. The motor power 
that is emi)loyed is steam. The Company manu- 
facture the University Road Wagon and the lock 
spring gear wagon. The Ferguson cart is among the 
liest of the road carts that are manufactured in this 
country. The latest improved motion has been 
combined in this vehicle, obviating to a gi-eat de- 
gree the action of the horse. Mr. Ferguson 's ve- 
hicles find a read.\- market both East and West, 
and they have a reputation even outside of the 
Union. He ship.s many vehicles^to California, and 
.St. Louis is his chief distriliuting point in the 
South. 

The original of our skelcii was l>orn in Perrins- 
ville, Wayne County, this State, August it, 18.59. 
He is a son of David Ferguson, who was a black- 
smith bv trade. He .settled in .Vim Arlmr nearlv 



forty years ago. coming from New York State, but 
liiuilly removed to Perrinsville, where he died. Our 
subject's mother was, prior to her marriage, a Miss 
Maria Mi.sner, a native of Canada. She was the 
mother of two children, both boys, whose names 
aie Charles L. and Alvah P. Fergu.son. 

A hah P. Ferguson spent his boj'hood and early 
school da\s in his native town. He well remem- 
bers the first home of the family, as it was made 
of logs, l)ut was in later years replaced by a frame 
structure. As a youth our subject learned the 
trade of a blacksmith, but remained at home under 
the parental roof until reaching years of majority. 
When twenty-one years old he went to Dexter 
and opened a carriage shop, eoiivneneing on a 
small scale because of limited means. He did the 
greater part of the work of the shop himself on 
his carriages, carts and wagons, but after remov- 
ing to Ann Arbor he made as many as six thou- 
sand carts in a year, also a great number of road 
wagons. The I'niversity Road Wagon, which is a 
favorite make with our subject, has been growing 
great! ^' in iiopularity, and it is both comfortable 
and rea.soiiable in price. 

In 188(1 our subject married Miss Nellie K. 
Underwood, of Perrinsville. Their union was 
blest by the advent of two children, whose names 
are J. C. and Roy. The original of i^ur sketch is a 
member of the Michigan Loan As.sociation and one 
of the members of the Board. He is a Republican 
in politics and was elected on his party ticket as 
.Vlderman for the Fourth Ward. Mr. Ferguson 
has a very pleasant home, located at 'So. 24 Beak 
Street. 



*^=^i 



\^^ 



ILL! AM H. LOWDEN. Few families in 
Augusta Town.ship have a higher standing 
f/^l for character, ability and euterpri.se than 
tliQ one represented by the name at the head of 
this paragraph and in its various members it is 
eminently worthy of the respect which is univer- 
sall\' conceded to it. He of whom we write is a 
native of Seneca Coiintv. N. A'., and a son of 



448 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



James L. and Rachel (Lyon) Lowden. ' He was 
born Januaiy 9, 1828 and was but a little boy 
when he came with his parents early in the '30s 
to what was then the Territory of JMichijran. 
Covered wagons were the vehicles of travel which 
brought these entei'prising jjeople from their home 
in Seneca County to Butfalo. N. Y.. and from there 
they traveled l)y boat to Detroit, and aaain took 
the prairie schooners to the new home. 

James L. Lowden made his home in the southern 
part of Ypsilanti Township, on the line between 
that township and Augusta Township. Upon his 
farm there were but a few acres cleared and the 
new home was made in an almost unbroken forest. 
Hardships and self denials were endured by this 
brave household and severe ial)or was sustained 
by all, for they were determined to clear the 
land which had lieen secured from the Ciovern- 
ment, .and to put it in the best possible condi- 
tion for future crops. The mother passed from 
earth in 1875 and the father died in 1880. Tlieir 
five surviving children are William II., Martha J.. 
Eleanor C, James L. and Harriet. The eldest daugh- 
ter, Mary, married Isaac K. Collar, of Ypsilanti 
Township, and is deceased. ^lartha J. is now the wife 
of F. A. Graves; Eleanor is Mrs. Peter D. Rogers, 
and Harriet is the wife of T. M. VanGieson. The 
youngest son of this family, the Hon. James L. 
Lowden. is the present popular and efficient Rep- 
resentative from the second district in the State 
Legislature. 

The death of the fatlier of this family- caused 
general mourning througliout the county .as he 
was esteemed among the prominent and most 
public-spirited citizens of this jiart of the Stxate. 
Our .subject did his full share in .assisting the 
family during the early days and learned to swing 
the ax with a right good will against the forest 
trees. He can relate m.any a thrilling incident of 
])ionecr life, and is thus one of the most instruct- 
ive and entertaining conversationalists wliom one 
may meet. He had few advantages .i-side from the 
education to be obtained in the district schools, 
but thoroughly ini))roved all that came in his wav 
and is largely self educated. 

Upon the 4tli of M.ay, 1 «;")!, William ]^ow- 
den and Sophia II. Crittenden were iniited in 



the bonds of marriage. This lady Is a sister of N. 
E. Crittenden of Yiisilanti Township, whose sketch 
appears upon another page of this volume, and 
she is a ladv of more than ordinary intelligence 
and influence. One hundred and two .acres of 
land forms the home farm and it is tinder excel- 
lent cultivation. Mr. Lowden 's political views 
bring him into line with the Democratic party and 
for three ^-ears he has served .as School Inspectoi- 
of Augusta Township, and for more than twenty 
years has been connected with the Board of his 
School District. He was connected with tlie 
Eastern Michigan Society, of which he was the 
President for two years, he having been superin- 
tendent of the cattle and then the horse department 
when he was elected as President of the Society. 
The confldence of the business community is his in 
full measure and his integrity and honesty are 
e\'erywhere known. 

^Ir. Lowden is a splendid representative of the 
typical Michigan farmer and possesses to a marked 
degree the regard which is given to the pioneers 
of this section. His interesting wife also enjoys 
to an unusual degree the good will of her neigh- 
bors and friends and she is an .active member of 
the Presbyterian Church, and this Alhim would 
be indeed incomijlete without a recital of the life 
history of this A-alued couple. 



SALTER S. HICKS is a manufacturer who 
' resides in Ann Arbor. Mr. Hicks was born 



in Ontario County, N, Y., September 21), 
1821. His father was Capt. Lemuel Hicks, a fanner 
in New York, .and son of Deacon Otis Hicks, wlio 
is of Scotch and English descent. Our subject's 
grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War, and his immediate progenitor was a soldier 
in the War of 1812, thus making a legacy of loy- 
alty to tlieir adopted country of which any loyal 
American might well be proud. 

AValter S. Hicks w.as the fifth in order of liirth of 
seven ciiildren bora to his parents, he being the 
second son. He was educated in the schools of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



N!( 



Ontario County. N. Y., receiving the rudiments of 
lii.s training in the district scliools and afterward 
attending the academy. ( )n reacliing manhood he 
began farming on his own account, his first ven- 
ture being in Ontario County, N. Y , and in tliis 
way lie continued for twelve year.s. lie then went 
to New York City, and came under the fascination 
of si)eculative life for some time, being on the 
Board of Exchange for twelve years. After that 
he returned to Ontario County. 

In 1873, our subject came to Battle Creek, this 
State, and soon after removed to a farm which lie 
I'on ducted for seven j'ears. He was successful and 
the occupation was agreeable to him, but feeling 
that his children should have better education.il 
advantages, he removed to Ann Arbor, and has 
since made this his home. Mr. Hicks has been in- 
terested in the manufacture of hoi) bitters, the lab- 
oratories being located at Rochester, N. Y., and 
Dayton, Ohio. 

In 1853, our subject was united in marriage to 
Miss Permelia Gooding, of Ontario County, N. Y. 
Mi\ and Mrs. Hicks have three children. The eld- 
est daughter is still an inmate of the home circle; 
Henry AVard is a graduate of the Universit}^ of 
Michigan; Ralph M. resides in Ann Arbor. Two 
daughters May and ^lary, are deceased. In 1872 
Mr. Hicks w.as- a member of the Grange, and while 
thus connected accomplished much good in ad- 
vancing common-sense ideas which were sustained 
by scientific experiments. Politically he is a Re- 
])ublican and takes a commendable interest in both 
local and national (jolitics. 



'****ms 



ARRIS BALL, the present, popular and ef- 
ficient Postmaster of Dexter, is a native of 
this county and was born in Webster 
Township, February 8, 1838. Here had 
taken place the marriage of his parents, Amos and 
Polly (Pease) Ball, who were themselves born in 
New York and Vermont. Amos Ball came to 
Michigan in 1832 with a sister, and his father came 
here also and died in Webster Township, when 



about ninety years old. The grandfather, .lames 
Ball, had one brother and two sisters, viz: Samuel, 
Sarali (Mrs. .Jolin AlU-y), and Klizalieth (Airs. 
Caleb Thurber). 

Amos Ball died October IS), 18G7, and the 
mother is still living, and makes her home with a 
daughter at (irass Lake, Jackson County. Amos 
W!is a carpenter by trade, having worked at that 
business in New York and was about twenty-five 
years old when he came to Michigan and con- 
tinued in this line for eight or ten years, assisting 
in erecting mills at various places, among which 
may be included the mill at Dexter. He also im- 
proved one hundred and sixty acres of land and 
took time from his own business to serve the 
Township for twentj' years as .Justice of the 
Peace, as well as in other public matters. His po- 
litical sympathies were first with the Whig party, 
and .afterwards with the Republicans. 

Tiie parents of our subject reared to years of ma- 
turity a family of seven children, namely: Harris, 
OrLando L., who is a farmer at Parma; Edwin on 
the old homestead in Webster Township; CharlesII., 
who died when a young man upon the farm; 
Willis A., a retired farmer living in Dexter; Myra 
E., ilrs. Amon Lee of Grass Lake and Fi'ances E., 
who became Mrs. George Alerrill of Weljster and 
died there. 

Harris Ball remained upon the home farm until 
he reached the age of twenty-nine, having charge 
of it for his father, and also followed the business 
of threshing for nine seasons. He then came to 
Dexter and drove tubular wells, and afterwards 
became one of tiie firm of Alley & Co., in carr^'ing 
on a business in the line of boots and shoes and gro- 
ceries. After the withdi-awal of Mr. Alley, Mr. Jesse 
O. Hoyt became a partner in the concern under 
the firm name of Ball & Hoyt and thus continued 
for fourteen years when Mr. Hoyt was called hence 
by death. The business had attained considerable 
proportions and in the meantime Mr. Ball was ap- 
pointed Postmaster, his commission l)earing date. 
May 7, 1883 and his first term expiring December 
23, 188,5. 

In 1880 Mr. Ball had entered into partnership 
witli H. 'SI. Phelps in the liusiness of breeding 
horses and handling Perchcron and English horses 



450 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



and this pai-tnership still continues. After the 
death of Mr. Iloyt the mercantile Inisiness was 
closed out and ^Ir. Ball devoted himself entire- 
ly to his duties as Postmaster until the incoming 
of Cleveland's administration. During that four 
years he devoted himself to the livery business 
but upon the incoming of a Republican adminis- 
tration he received his second appointment as 
Postmaster, beai-ing date February 8, 1890 and he 
is still acting in that c^apacity, liis good wife being 
his Deputy. 

The marriage of our subject, September 13, 18()(). 
brought to his home a worthy helpmate in tlie 
person of Mary Ellen (Burgess) of Soresco. Cal- 
houn Comity. She was born in Ohio, April 28, 
1844 and prepared herself for the position of a 
teacher which she filled for some time with great 
acceptance in Webster. The only child who has 
been granted to this excellent couple is Joseph 11., 
now a lad of nineteen and a High School student. 
They have a neat and most attractive home in 
Dexter and are leading people in both social and 
business circles. He has been President of the 
village a number of terms and is always active in 
campaign work, while his wife is a hearty and 
efficient worker in the Congregatitmal Ciuircli to 
which she belongs. 



m 



\f'OSEPH DOAXK. Among the well-knowu 
farmers and stock-raisers of Superior Town- 
shij), none has a lietter or more thoroughly 
cultivated farm than he whose name we 
now give. He was born in AVaync County, N. Y., 
in 1830, and at the age of four years came with his 
parents to Livingston County, in what was then 
the Territory of JNIichigan. He there resided until 
he reached his majority, and in 18;");i he married 
Miss Jane Corson. 

Tiie young couple made tlieir first wedded lioine 
in Lyons, and in 18;)8 they removed to Gratiot 
County, where they resided until 18()G, when they 
came to where thej- now i-eside, and purchased one 



hundred and sixty acres of superior land. This has 
been thoroughly improved from that time to this, 
and they now have as good a farm as can be found 
in the .State vf Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Doane 
have three living children: Clara, wife of William 
Mo.sher, is the mother of one child, George; Henry, 
who resides in Salem Station with his wife and 
daughter, Ethel; and Nellie, who is still at home. 
The parents ai'e members of the church, and have 
given to all their children training in tlie faith and 
duties of the Christian religion. 

Our subject is one in a family of eight. His sis- 
ter, Kel)ecca, died unmarried; the next Jemima, 
married William Webb, who died, leaving a fam- 
ily, and slie then married Randall Colvin. After 
our subject, came J(jhn W., a resident of Gratiot 
County; Robert, deceased; Henry, a resident of 
Livingston County; Elnathan, who lives in Ypsi- 
lanti; Mary married Richard Peer, and resides in 
Livingston County. The parentsof this family were 
Erastus and Hester (Stringham) Doane, the former 
born in New York about 1790, and tlie latter born 
in the same State, about the beginning of tliis cen- 
tury. 

The paternal graiidfatiier of our subject bore tiie 
name of Joseph Doane, and was a native of Dutch- 
ess County, N. Y. He had four children — Jirastus. 
Alexander, Robert and Laura. Three brothers of 
our subject, namely: John W., Roliert and IClna- 
than fought during the War of the Rebellion; Rob- 
ert died near Charleston, S. C. John W. .served for 
three years and was wounded in the battle of tiie 
Wilderness, after which he was discharged, and 
Elnathan served until the close of the war. John 
W. was the Second Lieutenant in a colored regi- 
ment. 

Mrs. Doane was born in Canaiidaiguu. Ontaiio 
County, N. Y., in 1832. Her father. Cornelius Cor- 
son, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1793, and was a 
son of Derrick Corson, who was born in December, 
1765, while her mother who bore the maiden name 
of Sallie Whitaere, was born in New Jersey, in 
1 795, She and her good husband had six children, 
namely: Oliver P., Rol)ert W.. Charles. AVilliani. 
Elizabeth and Mrs. Doane. Robert died at Schuy- 
ler, Neb,, leaving one child, Eugene; and Oliver, 
passed from earth while living in Livingston 



PORTRAIT AND UIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



451 



County, Mich., leaviiiij one daiiiililci , II;ittif; 
Charle.'? resides ueai' (iniiul IJapids; and IClizaln'tli. 
who i.s the widow of .leirv E. Aiijrell. resides in 
Isabelln County, wiiile William died .eaviiisj' behind 
him a family of eiulit. who make their home in 
Jjiving'ston County. Both tlie Doaiies and tlie Coi- 
sons are farming peojik'. and of liiii'ii respeelaliil- 
ity. 



^70MX (iUINCV ADAM.S SESSIONS. We 

are gratified to he able to present lo the 
readers of I his Alhim. the life story of one 
v^/i who has been prominent in professional and 
orticial cireles in Ann Arbor, and who gave three 
of the l)est years of his life to the service of his 
eountrw lie is now engaged in the practice of 
law, and in the real estate and insurance business 
at Ann Arbor, and was born at Lenox, Madison 
County, N. Y.. .Taniiary 15, 1832, being the young- 
est of eight children of ( ieorge and Kuniee ( Mather) 
Sessions. 

The father of our subject was born in ^^'illlra- 
ham, Mass., and the mother was a native of Wind- 
sor, Conn. The Mathers were of the best 1)1o(k1 of 
New England, being related to the noted Cotton 
Mather of the 15ostou Colony. George Sessions was 
the son of Robert Sessions, who was a soldier in the 
War of the Revolution, and assisted in throwing 
the tea oveiijoard in Boston IIarl)or, afterward 
serving throughout the whole eight years of the 
Revolutionary contest. 

The marriage of the parents of our subject, took 
place in Connecticut, and they soon removed U> 
Lenox, N. Y., which was their home until their re- 
moval to this county in 1834. Here they located 
in Northtteld Townshij) in the wild woods, and 
here the father died a few years later. The mother 
survived for several years, and in 1843 dei)arted 
this life, leaving eight children to mwurn her loss 
only three of whom are now living. 

He of whom we write passed his boyhood days 
on the farm, and attended the district .school, af- 
ter which he attended Albion College and the Y]i- 
silanti Seminary before entering the Uuiversitv of 



Michigan, where he took his diploma in the Liter- 
I ary Department with the Class of '56. He then 
I commenced the study of law with C. C'. Chatfield 
I and Henry A Shaw, of Eaton Rai)ids. where he 
was admitted to the bar in 1858. At Charlotte, the 
comity seat of Eaton County, he began the prac- 
tice of law. 

The breaking out of the Civil War. made a 
pause in the professional career of man\' an ambi- 
tious man who felt that the call of our country 
slioidd take pre-eminence above personal affairs 
and aggrandizement. Mr. Sessions now closed his 
otHee and devoted himself to canvassing Eaton 
Count}- for recruits for the Seventh Michigan Cav- 
alry then being organized at(Jrand Rapids, receiv- 
ing from (iov. Blair a commission as First Lieu- 
tenant of Company D, of that regiment, which was 
•finally mustered into service in November, 1862. 

Col. W. D. Mann was the commander of this 
regiment which was assigned to the Army of the 
Potomac, where it took part in many important en- 
gagements. It was one of the regiments comprising 
the famous Custer Brigade, and at the close of the 
war in 1865, the brigade of which the Sevenih 
formed a part, was sent to the Rocky Mountains to 
l)rotect the United States mails and passengers 
from attacks by hostile Indians. Returning from 
tlie West in October of that year, Mr. Sessions re- 
ceived an honorable discharge at Ft. Leavenworth, 
Kan., and came to Ann Arbor in January, 1866. 

Mr. Sessions has by honesty and integrity en- 
deared himself to the people of Washtenaw County, 
and they have honored him with several im])ortant 
ottieial trusts. In 1867 he was appointed Deputy 
United States District Attorney by Alfred Russell, 
of Detroit, and he held the office for two years. In 
1870 he ^was elected Justice of the Peace for the 
city of Ann Arbor, and served in that position for 
three 3'ears. In 1878 he was chosen City Attorney 
and re-elected the following year. 

The happy marriage of Mr. Sessions and Miss .\. 
E. Morton was celebrated September 15, 1857. 
This lady is the youngest daughter of Jonathan (;. 
Morton, one of the early pioneers of Ypsilanti. To 
them has been granted two childien, only one sur- 
viving, Francis ^I., who is a graduate of the 
I'niversity of Michigan in the Class of '88. He 



452 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



is now book-keeper in the Commercial National 
Bank at Coliimhiis. Ohio. Mr. anrl Mrs. Sessions 
lost one son. Harry M., at the age of five years, 
which I0.SS has been a sore bereavement to tliem. 

lie of wliom we write is a member of the (iolden 
Riik? Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and is 
connected with the Welsh Post No. 37, (i. A. R. 
He is one of the most useful and influential mem- 
bers of the Washtenaw County Pioneer Society, 
and prepared and read before that body a history 
of the early settlement of Ypsilanti and Ann Ar- 
bor, which was universally conceded to be full, 
complete and correct, and for which he received 
the thanks of that liody. He has served in that 
society as Chairman of the Executive Comuiittee, 
Secretary, Vice-President and President. IIis])leas- 
ant home in the First Ward is located at No. 36 
AVilliams Street, where liis friends are ever welcome. ' 
Politically he is a stanch Rei)ul)lican. and influen- 
tial in the ranks of tlu' i)artyin this portion of the 
■State. 



"if^OHN A. MclMAHON. The fine farm of 
this gentleman, situated on section 5, is an 
ornament to Manchester Township, and one 
of the liest to be found in Washtenaw 
County, of which he is a native, as he was burn 
in this townshi)), April 6, 1860. His fatiier, ,Io- 
scph McMahon, was born in 1807, in County 
Down, Ireland, and there grew to manhood and 
engaged in the business of linen weaving, which 
he followed until he came to America. 

It was in 1831 that the father f)f our subject 
came to America, and made his home in Albion, 
N. Y., where he lived for some time. He worked 
on the first railroad that was ever built in that 
State, an enterprise of which he long enjoyed 
speaking, as it was indeed historic. From there 
he removed to Norwalk. Conn., where he w.as en- 
gaged in the manufacture of pottery and Itrick 
until he came to ^Michigan in 1834. In Jlanches- 
ter Township he eslalilished himself, buying some 



land for his father, and taking up forty acres for 
him.self. He also took up one hundred and sixty 
acres in Jackson Countv. and afterward improved 
twenty of them. lie sold the property and lo- 
cated permanently here, where his son now lives. 

.Toseph McMahon made his home with his father 
for a number of years and at the same time was ini- 
liniving his own land. In 1842 he was united in 
marriage with Harriet Merriman, a native of New 
York, who there received her training and educa- 
tion and did not come West until after she had 
reached her maturity. They were the ])arents> of 
five daughters and one son, namely: .Jennie E.,the 
wife of James Lamb, of this township; Louisa S., 
the wife of the Rev. G. Campbell, of Hanover, 
N.H.; Maggie, deceased; Lois A., a teacher in the 
Normal School of Ypsilanti; Anna S., jVIrs. F. S. 
Gaige, of -\nn Arbor; and John. She died when 
her son John was but two weeks old. The father, 
however, survived for many years, and his days 
ended October 10, 1890. He was deeply interested 
in National affairs, and was a strong Republican. 
His judgment was excellent in regard to matters of 
business and finance, and he was one of the founders 
of the People's Bank of Manchester. He was a 
member of the Presbj-terian Church and an ear- 
nest worker for its prosperity and the cause of 
Christianity. 

The second marriage of Joseph ^Nlc^Iahon was 
solemnized in 1863, Mrs. Fhza Fargo becoming his 
wife. The early schooling of om- subject was taken in 
his native place, and he afterward took f urther ad- 
\'antages at the Jlanchester High School. He re- 
mained with his father until twenty-one years of 
age, and was then married to Addie L. Riggs, by 
whom he had one son, Joseph. This wife passed 
from earth in 1886. and her remains lie at rest in 
the cemetei-y at Manchester. The second marriage 
of Mr. McMahon was celebrated April 9, 1891, with 
Mrs. Ella Sweet, who was born in Chesterfield. 
Ohio, November 3, 1864. Her training and edu- 
cation was received in Jlichigan, as her parents, 
Mr. and Mr. Lafayette AVarne, came here many 
years ago. Mrs. ilcMahon was the widow of Mr. 
Harry Sweet, and by that marriage she has one son, 
Clyde. 

During till- yi'ars l.sS{i ;iiid 1H87 our subject was 



PORTRAIT AND lUOGRAPfflCAL ALBUM. 



453 



engaged in selling agricultural implements, in 
which he was reasonably successful, but his lime 
and energies have mostlj^ been devoted to fann- 
ing, and he has now one hundred and seventy-live 
acres of well-improved laud, and is doing a good 
farming l)usiness. He handles stock extensively, 
botli buying and selling, and raises a good breed 
of horses, and in all that he undertakes he shows 
the same qualities of perseverance and determina- 
tion and is correspondingly successful. 



ERMAX lIAKDINCillAl S. The proprietor 
of the Northern Brewer}', which is located 
ill Ann Arbor, was born in German}', June 
j)) 16. IKK). He is the youngest son of Anton 
and (Gertrude Ilardinghaiis, the former having 
been a brewer in the old country. Both husband 
.and wife lived and died in their native land. 
Reared as a little lad in his native town he grew 
in strength and stature until he was old enough 
to attend the school, commencing his student life 
at tlie age of six years. lie continued in the 
primary school until ten years old when he entered 
a (iymnasium and there remained until having 
reached his fourteenth year. 

On leaving the Gymnasium, the original of oiu' 
sketch entered the High School and there piuvsued 
a course of higher studies for one year. He then 
entered a brewing establishment in order to learn 
tiie liusiness being under the directorship of the; 
superintendent who had worked for his father. 
Anticipating a broader field for his business opera 
lions oiu- subject sailed for America, landing in 
New York City, thence went to Cincinnati, Ohio, 
direct, where he worked at the brewing business 
and remained there for six j'ears. From the latter 
place he went to St. Louis, Mo., where lie was 
engaged in the same business for two years and 
after that he came to Michigan and located in 
Vpsilanli, being among the first to laimch into this 
liusiness in this portion of the State. 

In 18H4 Mr. Hardinghaus sold out liis interests 



at Ypsilanti and removed to Ann Arbor, the fol- 
lowing year starting into business on the site of 
his present stand. He continued in the old build- 
ings until 188B, when lie erected the fine brick 
block that now is the place of business of tiie brew- 
ing estaVilishment. It is a building 38x,53 feet in 
dimensions and is two stories in height. In con- 
nection with this he lias a large bottling works, 
whicji is in a separate l)uilding erected specially 
for the purpose. He manufactures in connection 
with beer a superior quality of ale which he ships 
to different cities and towns. 

The original of our sketch was married in 1874 
to Miss Rachel Kalb, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. 
Hardinghaus is a native of Indiana and is a daugh- 
ter of AVilliam Kalb, Esq. Mr. and Mrs. Harding- 
haus have been blest by the advent of two children 
— Cora A. and Evelin R. Our subject is a memlier 
of Franklin Lodge No. 262, F. ife A. M., and also 
of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Of the 
societies of his native land he has allied himself 
with the Arbeiter Verein. His residence is located 
at No. 7 Mill Street. It is a substantial structure, 
having pleasant surroundings and being the center 
of a happy domestic relation. 



ARVKY CORNWKLL. The industry which 
is occupying at liie present time no unim- 
portant ()iace in commerce in tlie United 
States is aljly rejjresented in the city of Ann 
Arbor by the gentleman wliose name appears above 
and there would seem no better site for such an 
industry that here within easy access of the forests 
where poi)lar is found in great quantities and the 
best qualities of straw can be had in any quantity 
from the neighboring farmers. Here the best 
grades of heavy paper are made. 

Mr. Cornwell was born in E.ast Haddam, Conn.. 
November 4, 1820. He is a .son of William and 
Ann (Bradick) Cornwell, wlio were both natives of 
Connecticut, but later setthnl in Orleans County, 
N. Y.. where they pursued the calUng of agricul- 
turists. In 1836 tiiey removed to Michigan ainl 



Voi 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



located in Monroe County, where our subject's 
father (lied in 1871 while in his seventy-liftli year; 
his wife had died sevei'.-il years Ijefore. Our suh- 
ject is the second son and child in order of )>ii-th 
in a family of nine children. I'ntil his sixteenth 
year he passed his boyhood and school days in 
Orleans County, N. Y., filling the intervals of Ins 
>eliool duties by work on the farm. On moving to 
.Michigan with his parents he took up the calling 
of farming and followed it energetically uj) to 
1850, when he took a trip to California, spending 
two years in that State, during which he was en- 
gaged in gold raining. AbouL 1840 he engaged in 
the manufacturing of woolen goods witli his tw<j 
lirothers and continued that until the mill was 
consumed by fire about 1880. 

Returning to Michigan in 18;")2 our sulijet't set- 
tled in Washtenaw Ccmnty. On his return he went 
into business in the wrapping-paper mill in com- 
pany with his brothers, Henry and Cornelius Corn- 
well, the mill being located in Ann Arbor Town- 
ship. For many years Hai-vey Corn well was 
connected with the paper mill at Ypsilanti, wliicli 
wa.- established b>" Cornwell Bros, in 18o6,and subse- 
([uentlj' ch.anged into a stock company, of which 
he is still a large stockholder. He owns a half in- 
tei-est in the Ann Ariior Paper Mills, which have a 
capacity for turning out three tons of pai)er in 
twenty-four hours. The company employs twelve 
men and their product is in demand. 

Mr. Cornwell is interested in the pulp mill at 
.lackson, Mich., and he is also engaged in farm- 
ing. Mr. Cornwell was married in 185;") to Miss 
.Mice .Shannon of this county. She was a native of 
Ireland but w.as brought to the United States by 
her parents when a child. Our subject and his wife 
.•ire the parents of three children, whose names are 
Esther, Wirt and .h'miic. The latter is tlie wife of 
K. A. Darrow. 

Our suliject was a large stockholder in the Farm- 
ers and Mecli.anics Bankof Ann Arbor and held the 
liositioii of X'ice-President for lliree years; he is a 
large stockholder in the Jackson Pulp Company and 
a member of the Cornwell Manufacturing Company 
located on Huron River, of which he is now A'ice- 
President. Mr. Cornwell has a handsome residence 
located on North Ingalls Street. It is built of 



brick and fitted and furnished in harmony with its 
exterior and imi)osing dimensions. Our subject is 
a Republican in politics. The family excej)! Mr. 
Corinvcll are members of the ( '.'itliolii- Cluiich. 



z^. IIRISTIAX MARTIX is a member of the 
fli ^ _ firm of Martin it Fi-scher, proprietors of the 
'^^^' Western Brewery, at Ann Arbor, having 
succeeded to the Peter Brehins estate in 1885. Mr. 
Martin is a native of Germany, having been born 
in Baden, .January 2, 1854; he was the fifth of six 
children, his parents being Matthias and Therasia 
^laitiii. His father's occupation was that of a 
earpeiiler and contractor; he and his wife both 
died in the old country, the father in 1858 while 
his wife followed him in 1874. Christian Martin 
received a common-school education in Baden, his 
native place. On attaining his seventeenth year 
he went to work in a brewery in which he remained 
but a short time when he sailed for these United 
.States. On reaching New York City he went di- 
rectly from there to Battle Creek, Mich., in which 
city he was emjiloyed by John Stahl in what was 
then knoAvn as the City Brewery. With them he 
remained for three years and a half when he de- 
cided to move to Ann Arbor, where he was em- 
ployed by Frank Ruck, who had charge of the 
brewery, with whom he remained for nearly three 
years, then worked for John Frey, also owner of a 
brewery. 

In 188(1 Mr. .Martin formed a partnership with 
Mathias Fischer, which constitutes the present 
firm. They do a general brewing Inisiness and are 
very successful. The sales are mostly confined to 
Washtenaw County. They own -a fine building 
two stories high with a large basement, having 
some three or four wings. It is located in the 
western part of the city on XVest Fourth Street. 

Mr. Martin was married in April 18, 1881 to 
Miss Amelia C. Glassnor of Battle Creek. She is a 
native of Bavvy County aiul a daughter of Charles 
C41assnor. He and his wife are lioth natives of 
Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have four children, 



I'ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



455 



m 



all daugbters; Clara, Emma. Anna, •■nid Kll;i. Oiii- 
siiliject served as Alderman in llie Second Ward 
tV)r five years, and is a menilier of the Ancient 
Order of T'nited Workmen. In politics he is a 
Deniiicr.Tt. and lesides at Xo. 15. Fourth Street. 



♦^^|<^^ 



WILLIAM F. KREAKKV. .M. 1).. of Ann 
Arbor, w.as liorn in Jiethel, vSullivan 
County, N. Y., in 18.35, and is a son of 
Isaiah and Polly (Lyon) lireakey. The former 
was a native of Ireland and the mother, of Con- 
necticut. The family trace their descent from the 
French Huguenots. Our subject 's father emigrated 
to this country from the North of Ireland in 1820. 
lie attended the common and .academical schools 
until 1852 when he entered tiie University of 
Xf»rtheru Pennsylvania at Bethany, having secured 
means to pursue his college course by teaching for 
aliout six years meantime continuing his studies. 

After finishing his college course, our subject 
devoted himself to the study of medicine for one 
year at the Albany Medical College, He came to 
Michigan in 1857 and entered the Medical Depart- 
ment of the University of Michigan from which 
he graduated in 1859 and commenced the practice 
of liis profession at AVhitmore Lake, where he re- 
mained until 1862 when he volunteered as surgeon 
in the Array of the Republic, shortly after enter- 
ing the Army of the Potomac as Assistant Surgeon 
of the Sixteentli Infantry and was on duty at the 
second battle of Bull Run and at Gettysburg. 

In May, 1864, Dr. Breakey resigned his position 
in the army and coming to Ann Arbor engaged in 
tlie practice of medicine where he has built up a 
huiif and remunerative ])ractice. He was Assistant 
Demonstrator of Anatomy in 18(!8-fi9 in the Uni- 
X'ersity of Michigan aiul since 18Hi) lie has lieen 
lectiuer on I)erniatolog\- and .-ince 1865 he has 
tilled the office continuously of Examiner of Pen- 
sions. He is a member of the County and State 
Medical Societies and of the American ^Icdical 
Assiwiation. 

Dr. Breakev was married in l.s(;2 to .Miss .lane 



E. Stevens, of Whitmore Lake, who died in 1879. 
Two children, a son and :i daughter, both of whcjm 
are living, were the result of this marriage. The 
Doctor married ill \xx\ ^liss Maria Louise Ren- 
ville, of New York City. Our subject is a member 
of the Methodist Ei)isc(Ji)al Church. He is a 
believer in prohibition as an antidote for the evils 
of intemperance where it will prohibit, but not 
otherwise, while he is an .active advocate of 
temperance as well in theory as practice. Casting 
his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 
1856, he has ever been a stanch member of the Re- 
publican part.\' and takes an active part in both 
State and National politics. 

The Doctor is a memlier of Welsh Post, No. 137. 
(t. a. R. He also belongs to the ^Michigan Com- 
mandery and Loyal Legion. He has a fine frame 
residence at Xo. 54 N. Huron .Street and here the 
best class of peojile in the city are hospitably 
received by tlie gracious host and hostess who de- 
light in pleasant converse of an elevated character. 



^^ HARLES E. CHANDLER. This gentleman 
(l( _, who is now carrying on a tlourishing livery 
^i^^' liusiness in Chelsea and who accomodates 
the public by running omnibuses lo the lake and 
to the fair ground, was born in Alstead. N. H. 
March 23, 1838. His parents, Lyman and Mary A. 
(Glover) Chandler were natives of New Hampshire 
and the father had studied medicine but never de- 
voted himself to its jiractice. He was also a mer- 
chant and a manufacturer and owned a farm in 
New Hampshire where he died at the .age of seventy- 
two years. He was Township Clerk foi' a number 
of years besides filling other local fiffices. He was 
.an ardent temperance advocate and a man of large 
reading and information, and positive in his views. 
His death was long mourned and he was a man 
who w.as highly respected. His wiihiw still resides 
at Walpole with her daughter. 

Lyman Chandler was a son of .lames and Abigail 
(Vilas) Chandler. nati\es of New Hampshire, where 
thev carried on n fai'iii. .Miisrail Chandler was the 



^56 



PORTRAIT AN]) BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



first school teacliti in iln township of Alstead, and 
the l()o- .si'hoolluni.se in which she taught had but 
one light in its walls and that wju< in the door. 
James Chandler lield various local offices and he 
and his good wife had a large family who were 
well educated as tlieir mother gave them instruc- 
tion at home supplementary to wliat they received 
in tlie schools. He was of English descent and a 
Repul)lican in politics. 

The niothei- of our subject wiis a daugliter of Col_ 
Edward and Mary (Blalve) Glover, New Englanders 
by birtii. They lived and died in New Hampshire. 
Edward (i lover owned several farms and besides 
managing tlieni carried on a wagon manufactory 
as he was a mechanic. Thej- were of English des- 
cent and were the ))arents of four children. Their 
daughter Mary, the mother of our subject, 
like her mother, had four children, namely: Our 
subject, Henry, .lulia A. (Mrs. Fred Wier) and 
Walter L. Charles Chandler was educated at the 
common schools and the High Schools of Westmin- 
ster and taught for two terms in New Hanipshiie 
wlien only seventeen years old. 

This young man's first AVestern trip brought liim 
to Detroit where he worked in the grocery business 
but returned to New Hampshire in 1857 and there 
assisted on the home farm. He was married on the 
2r)th of April, 18r)9. to Miss Mary C. Ellwell of 
Langdou, N. H. daughter of Hon. Samuel K. and 
Can dice A. (Huntoon) Ellwell, liotli natives of 
New Hampshire. JMr. Ellwell was a mechanic by 
trade but is now retired from business and still 
lives in New Hampshire, and is well-known through- 
out this region as a sturdy Repulilican who held 
many responsible ofhces. Mrs. Chandler is his only 
child. He is a Tniversalist in religion and is a son 
of Samuel and Electa (Jeunett) Ellwell, New Ham- 
pshire farmers wiio had a family of five children. 

The maternal grandijarents of Mrs. Chandler 
were Lemuel and Sybil (Palmer) Huntoon. both 
natives of New Hanipsliire, and tlie parents of seven 
children. Mr. Huntoon was a blacksmith by trade 
and a Democrat in liis political belief. After mar- 
riage otir subject farmed for some two years and 
then took up the blacksmith's trade which he fol- 
lowed l)otii in the East and in the West txmiing to 
IMichigan in 1H77 and settling at Chelsea where lie 



carried on both blacksmilhing and wagon making. 
In 1878heboughttliehou.se where he now lives 
and on the north side of the railroad bought a black- 
smith and wagon shoj). He lias a family of three 
children — Mary E.. Mrs. Timoth}' Drislane, who has 
two cliildreii — :Mary B. and Jonathan C; William 
C. died in infancy; Belle A. wlio is a graduate 
of the High School in 1888, and lias taught for two 
years and Gertrude S. Mr. Cliandler is a stanch 
Republican in iiis political views and one of the 
most relialile men in the village of Chelsea. 



^Mi 



HARLES A. BULLARD. 



'The Sons of 



Veterans" in the late Civil War are proud 
of their fathers' records and glad to claim 
descent from those who helped to bring our nation 
through troublous and uncertain times. lu like 
manner the sons of pioneers i)roudly la\' claim to de- 
scent from tliose who, though hardships and jiriva- 
tions, toils and suffering, of which we can form but 
an imperfect idea, liave helped to develop the re- 
sources of Michigan. 

Amos BuUard, the father of our subject, was one 
of these pioneers whose story we are glad to re- 
count. He was born in Athol. Mass., in 1809, and 
was a sou of Amos Bullard, Sr., who kept a tavern in 
that town. The mother of our subject was a 
widow when united with Amos Bullard in mar- 
riage, being Mrs. Harriet (Brown) Graham, a na- 
tive of Onondaga, N. Y., and was born in 1822. 
The father of our subject came to Detroit in 1830, 
Init returned to New York the same fall, and the 
following year again came to Michigan and located 
on sections 30 and 31, of Sharon Township. He 
was then a single man and was the first settler on 
the nortli bend of the Raisin River and the third in 
the township, tlie two who were here before 
him having come two weeks and ten days previous, 
respectively. 

The young man secured three hundred and 
twenty acres of entirely unbroken and undisturbed 
territory and proceeding t<j fell tlie trees he erected 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



i:, 



;i loo- house. Indians abounded and in most cases 
were friendly, but on one occasion be was pursued 
liy a baud of savages who had been rendered wild 
liy "fire-water." In the midst of the savagesand the 
wild animals he lived for five years, but he did 
not live there through all this time alone as he 
look to himself a wife on 6th of September, 1832, 
being then joined in marriage with Cornelia 
Barker, who was born May 31.1812. They were 
the parents of four children, none of whom are 
living now, except the eldest, Minerva, who is now 
a widow, Mrs. Walcott, and has two children. 
She was born September 3, 1833, being thus tiie 
first white child l)orn in this township. 

Mr. Bullard's house was the second erected 
within the confines of this township and he was 
tlie very first to set out that eminently useful and 
ornamental adjunct of a farm — an orchard. In 
the course of time he sold out his farm and bought 
the Hallet Smith place, but after a short time 
traded that for a portion of the farm where he now 
lives. He then removed to an eight3--acre lot on 
section 32, and in the course of four d.ays had 
built for his family a log house and was settled in 
it. There they lived for four years and then lo- 
cated upon his present farm wjiere his son now 
lives, which property he had entered from the 
Government in 1831. This tract consisted of two 
hundred and sistj'-five acres, of which he cleared 
off one hundred acres besides clearing the timber 
from four other farms in this vicinity. He was 
bereaved by the death of his wife November 4, 
18G1. 

The second wife of Amos BuUard, .Tr., and the 
mother of our subject, was a daughter of John and 
Laura (Thayer) Brown, the former being a native 
of Massachusetts and the latter of New York, in 
which State they were married and resided through 
life. They were the parents of four children, two 
of whom have now passed to the other world and 
Mrs. BuUard is the youngest of the family being 
born December 11. 1822, in New York. She was 
married in 1847 to Moses Graham of New York. 
school teacher for some time in Niles, Mich., hut 
who returned to New York where he made his 
home until death. Their two children are Helen 
K.. now Mrs. F. (Tillett and Ihe mother of three 



children, .and INIary T., now the wife of Addis C. 
(4illett, who lives in (iratiot County, and lias two 
children. 

After the marriage of the parents of our subject 
whieli took ])l!ice August 1.5, 1862, they made 
their liome ui)on the farm where they now reside 
and here was born to them one child, our subject, 
who came to them September 28, 1864. The father 
passed from earth's activities M.a}' 14, 1889. He 
was a hard worker and a successful farmer and had 
a more than ordinary muscular development, be- 
ing al)le to successfully undertake many tasks 
which were too much for most of his neighbors. 

Amos Bullard was a Democrat until after the 
election of 1840, when he became a AVhig. He 
helped to organize this township, and to lay out 
all the roads in this locality and was an officer in 
the Toledo War. He was .Tiistice of tiie Peace of 
Sharon Township, and a man who was ever deeply 
interested in local matters of importance and es- 
Ijecially in educational progress. He gave to his 
children the best schooling that could be obtained 
for them without sending them away from home, 
and the district school .and the High School gave 
Charles Bullard a thorough grounding in the fun- 
damentals of learning. 

Mr. Charles A. Bullard has always remained at 
home and has devoted himself to carrying on his 
farm of two hundred and sixty-five acres, thirty 
acres of which he has himself cleared and has 
placed upon it all excellent improvements. He 
married on Chistmas Day, 1883, Miss Luella Milieu, 
a daughter of Philo B. Milieu, who resides in the 
village of Manchester. She was born June 2.'), 
1864, and was granted by her parents an excellent 
education both in domestic knowledge and school 
lore. After graduating at the Manchester High 
School she taught f jr one year. She has only one 
child, Chauncy A., born April 10, 1889. She is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
an earnest worker in its charities and efforts. Mr. 
Bullard is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, of 
which he is the business agent and he has always 
been a Republican in his political affiliations. 

The father of our subject was a hatter by trade 
and wiien he came to Midiigan he brought with 
him a slock of hals and IkiI material. Imt did not 



4/) 8 



PORTRAIT AM) BJOGKAPHICAL ALKIAI. 



at tlic time find any call to warrant him entei-ing 
upon the pursuit of his. trade and lie never went 
into Inisiness. There is a small lake upon this 
farm and upon it may he seen an old raft in a well 
preserved eondition, whieh has floated there for 
sixty years. In tlie early days it was used for 
fisliiu£>' purposes and the lirst time it was used for 
that purpose, the father of our subject and a neigji- 
hor, who had assisted in its buildiiio;, cauglit in 
tliii1\- uiinulcs M lialf li\isliel of lisli. 



DIUU) (;ALPIN, deceased. Tlie residents of 
) Michigan who came hither from Canada, 
r have almost wTthout exception proved tliem- 
i, I selves most worthy citizens and members of 
society. The older class, who ar£ now passina; from 
the activities of life, have a large number who 
thus emigrated, and among them was he of whom 
we now write, who was born in Canada in 1804. 
He was one of a family of six children born to 
Nathan and Flora (^alpin, natives of Connecticut. 
Xathan (ialpin removed to Canada about the be- 
ginning of this century, and when the AVar of 1812 
broke out he left his property there and returneil 
to the United States, locating in New Vork,and in 
1831 he came to jMichigau, where lie died about 
the year 1870. 

The brothers and sisters of our subject were Na- 
than, Mitchell, Lyman, Flora (Mrs. Stiles), and 
Irena (Mrs. Conley Rates). Philo Galpin married 
Jane Townsend, and they becauie the i)arents of 
four children: Freeman P.; Anrilla, who was the 
wife of Edwin Curtis, and died leaving one child, 
Adell)ert; Susannali, who became Mrs. O. A. Sober, 
and is now deceased; and Eliza Ann, the wife of 
Arthur Covert. 

Freeman P. (ialidii was born in Monroe County, 
N. Y., in 182n. and came to where he now resides 
in 1832, and has since made this place his home. 
He was first married in 184.5. to IMiss l^linira Pr.ay, 
l)y whom he had tliree children, Pliilo, Maurice and 
Franklin. In 1853 ^Irs. (Jaliiin died, and Mr.C.'ii- 
pin afterward was united in marriage with Mary. 



daughter of Samuel Puthrnfif, and by this union 
have been born eight children, four of whom are 
still living — William, Linns, Minnie Ella and May. 
Mr. and Jlrs. F. P. (ialpin arc both members of the 
Methodist Ej)iscopal Church. Tlieir oldest son, 
William, is an Episcop.al minister, a graduate of 
Ann -Vrbor. and a young man of promise. 

lie of whom we write tilled nearly all the offices 
witliin the gift of the people of his township, .and 
was an earnest advocate of the pi'inciples of the 
Kepiiblican jjarty. He owned a farm of three hun- 
dred and sixty acres of as fine land as can be found 
within the confines of Washtenaw County. Samuel 
Rutliruff, the father of the present Mrs. F. P. (4al- 
pin, was l)orn in Pennsylvania, about the year 
1801. .and married Susanna Frain, Ijy whom he had 
thirteen children, twelve of whom are still living. 
They came to Washtenaw County in the Territorial 
days, and here passed the remainder of their allot- 
ted time on earth. Mrs. Ruthruff's father was also 
one of the early pioneers here, having come to the 
county in 1835, two ye.ars previous to the coming 
of the Ruthruffs, and it was for him that Frain 
Lake was named, as he was a farmer in that vicin- 
ity. 



RED C. ANDREWS. With the history of 
llie growth .and success of the Ypsilanti 
Dress Stay ^Manufacturing Company and of 
■ the Scharf Tag Label and Box Company, the resi- 
dents of Washtenaw County are all familiar. It is 
admitted liy everyone that the high position now 
occupied l)y these organizations is due to a great 
extent to the efforts of the gentleman whose name 
introduces these paragrajihs. lie possesses tlio.se 
qualifications of mind which are essential to emi- 
nent success in business, and to these he has added 
a ilecided personality and keen insight into matters 
of importance. A man of recognized ability .and 
liberal ideas, he occui)ies a high place in the esteem 
of his fellow-citizens. 

Mv. Andrews is now in tin- piime of life, having 
been lioiii April 17. IS.")(;. His native place was 
Atli(a, N. v.. although lie pas.sed in that city only . 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



461 



the first four j-ears of his life. At that age he was 
liroiiglit by his parents, Charles C. and Susan 
((iardner) Andrews, to Macomb County, Mich., 
whence after a siiort sojourn lie came with them to 
Oaitland County. For inanj- years tlie parents re- 
sided at Rochester wliere tlie fatlier was proprietor 
of ft flouring mill. Afterward he removed to De- 
troit and there he still lives, actively engaged in 
business. He is a man of progressive ideas and 
upright diaraeter, and the wortliy life which lie has 
lived entitles him tc) the confidence of the com- 
munity. 

Tlie earl_y education of our sul)ject was mostly 
obtained at the High Sdiool of Hochester, and 
when ready to start out in life for himself he en- 
tered (ioldsraith's IJusiness College at Detroit. 
In the spring of lUTTi he olitained a po.sition witli 
K, R. Smitli A- Co., wholesale and retail book 
and stationery dealers. Mr. Andrews remained in 
tlie ottice of tliis firm and their successors in busi- 
ness for more than seven years, when lie became an 
employe in the Commercial National Bank of De- 
troit. There he remained for over five years, oc- 
cupying several positions and gaining a thorougli 
knowledge of the banking business. In 1887 he 
came to Yj)silanti to engage with the Dress >Stay 
.Manufacturing Company .and take the position of 
confidential clerk until the organization of the 
company in 1889. 

At the .above-mentioned date Mr. Andrews was 
elected to the position he now occupies. Secretary 
and Treasurer of the company, and he is also a 
Director in both companies. He was one of the 
originators of the Scharf Tag Laliel and Box Com- 
pany, which was formerly a Toledo firm. Although 
his time is very closely occupied witli the duties of 
his position, Mr. Andrews gives considerable atten- 
tion to outside enterprises, being interested in the 
Detroit Bank, and in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti 
Street Railway. The latter enterprise has been 
calculated to unite the diversified interests of the 
two cities and draw them together for all time to 
come. Politically Mr. Andrews has not given any 
attention to office seeking but casts his ballot for 
those men whom he believes most fitted to subserve 
the interests of the citizens. 

On .laiuiarv 11. IHH2. Mr. Andrews and .Miss 



Chellie L. Bowling, of Detroit, were united in 
marri!ige,and of this union two children have been 
boi-n, named Chellie Lorena and Fred C, deceased. 
The social position occupied l\y this estim.alile fam- 
ily is very high and the yarious members stand 
well in the community where they reside. 

APT. WALTER P. BEACH. The subject of 
this sketch, whose portrait is presented on 
another p.age, is Justice of the Peace of the 
second district of Ypsilanti and also Notary Public, 
besides working in the fire insurance business. He 
was l)orn in Hartford, Conn., .lanuai-y 21, 1822. His 
father, (^eorge Beach, was also born in Hartford, 
where he was President of the old Pluenix Bank 
for over fifty years up to the time of his death, 
which took pl.ace in 18()l,at the ripe old age of 
seventy-six years. His politics were with the Wliig 
party and in religion he was a member of the 
Episcojial C^hurch. He w.as of English descent, his 
grandfather having come from England with two 
brothers, they settling in Connecticut, New York 
and Ohio, res])ectively. His mother, Harriet Brad- 
ley, was born in Hartford and was a daughter of 
Richard Bradley, who was in the jewelry business 
there. She died in her native place in 1826. 

Fourteen children were born to. the parents of 
our subject, nine of whom are still living, most of 
them in Hartford. Our subject is the seventh of 
this large family and was reared and received his 
early education in Hartford, until his thirteenth 
year. Being of a venturesome S)>irit he went to sea 
on a whaler that was named "John and Eliz.abeth". 
They sailed from New London, he going as one of 
the crew. The cruise lasted two and one-half 
years in the South seas and Indian Ocean, bring- 
ing back a large cargo of oil and whalebone. Some 
six months later he shipped in a merchant vessel 
before tli(^ mast. He remained ten months on that 
vessel. On their trip to Calcutta the Captain 
died, when our subject became second mate. In 
this capacity he made several trips between New 
York and Iviverpool, in the mean time having been 
jiromoted to first male. He made some ten trips 



462 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



in those merchant vessels and aftei'ward was en- 
gaged in tho New Orleans and AVest India trade. 
In 1843 lie went to South America as mat* of a 
!*lii|>. and thence hack to Boston. Our subject was 
wi'ecked off tiie south coast of Cuba, where the 
vessel wtis lost liut the crew were all saved but one. 
In 184.5 he gave up the sea-faring life liaving liad 
Ids feet and hands frozen. 

In 184;') .Mr. Be.ach came to ^liehigan. settling 
in Alniont. Lapeer County, where he engaged in 
merchandising for about nineteen years. In 1863 
he .sold out and enlisted in the late war. He 
raised Company F. Tenth Michigan Infantry, of 
which company he was made Captain at Flint. He 
went South in tlie spring of 1864, and ut Corinth 
was taken sick and remained in the hospital sev- 
eral weeks after which he resigned and went to 
Lake Superior for his health, remaining there 
if while and in the spring of 1865 came to Ypsilanti 
and bought a residence on Summit Street. 

He engaged in the fire insurance business at De- 
troit, continuing until 1872. He then spent one 
year up the lake and at St. Paul as State Agent of 
the ^tna Fire Insurance C^ompany, then back to 
Huron Bay, Lake Superior. He traded in real 
estate there and owned considerable property. In 
1889 he came to this city, engaging in the in- 
surance business in the office with his son-in-law. 
Frank .Joslyn, until he moved to Muskegon, when 
our subject bought out his interest. He was elected 
Justice of the Peace in .June, 1891, the same month 
in which he was appointed Notary Public. Capt. 
Beach represent* six insurance companies named as 
follows: The American Hre. Liberty Fire, l^luvnix 
of Brooklyn. London Assurance, Manchester of 
Kngland and North British Mercantile of England. 

Our subject w.as married in Hartford, Conn., in 
1845, to Miss Martha Stacey, who was born in 
Dover, N. H. She died in Ypsilanti. Seven chil- 
dren were the result of this marriage: Walter, resid- 
ing in New Orleans; William, in Southern Cali- 
fornia; Harriet, now Mis. Oberst of Ypsilanti: 
Kate, now Mrs. Frank Joslyn. of Muskegon; Helen. 
Mrs. Burt of Ypsilanti; Lizzie, at home; (ieorge, 
in the United States Navy, on board the Hagship 
"Chicago". 

Our subject w.s.s a second time married in Hart- 



ford, April, 1876, to Miss Maria Skinner, a native 
of Hartford. He has held many offices of trust. 
At Alinont he was Constable, was Sheriff of Lapeer 
County for two years, and Deputy I'nited States 
Marshal under Knox, for the Eastern District. 
He is a Knight Templar and a member of the Free 
and Accepted Masons at Almont. which lie helped 
to organize and of which he is a charter inemlier. 
He is also a member of the Royal Arch Masons at 
Romeo. He joined the Commandery at Pontiac. 
then helped to organize the Commandery at 
Romeo. Having given up the charter there, he 
afterward joined at Detroit. He is a demitted 
member of those lodges. In politics he is a Dem- 
ocrat. His wife is an earnest member of the Epis- 
copal Church. 






i^ AVID W. PALMER is a farmer residing 
on section 16. He was born in Boliin- 
town Township, Windham County. Conn.. 
June 5, 1807. His father, .Joseph Palmer, 
was also a native of Connecticut and devoted him- 
self to general farming and dairying. In 1810 he 
removed to Madison County, X. Y. and there en- 
gaged in the farming business. He came to Mich- 
igan in 1851 and died when he had reached the 
age of seventy-six years. He served during the 
AVar of 1812 and was a noble man and a true 
Christian and almost a hfelong member of the Bap- 
list Church. His father. Joseph Palmer, was aI.so 
a native of Connecticut and a farmer by occupa- 
tion, while our subject's great-grandfather, Joseph 
Palmer, was a son of a celebrated ])hysician prac- 
ticing many years in his native State, coming 
thither from England. 

Our subject's mother was, prior to her marriage, 
3Iiss Abigail AVheeler, also a native of Connecti- 
cut where she was reared. .She died at the age of 
about sixty years. Her father, David Wheeler, 
was a farmer in Connecticut. He of whom we 
write was one of four children born to his parents, 
three sons and one daughter, all of whom lived to 
attain manhofidand womanhood and having reared 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



463 



families for themselves. Of these only one brother, 
the youngest of the family, is now living besides 
our subject, that is, Russell D. Palmer, who resides 
iu .laekson County. 

Our subject is the oldest child born to his par- 
ents. He was only three years of age when his 
father moved to New York. He was educated at 
Hamilton College, Oneida County, N. Y. lie 
taught school after rtnisliing his education in New 
York State for ten years, and after coming to Mich- 
igan lie continued teaching for seven years and 
during his experience in this direction had many 
(lupils, some of whom have distinguislied them- 
selves in various ways. ]Major-(ieneral Fiske was 
one of his pupils, also Charles M. Felton, recently 
elected Senator of California. Wirt Dexter, n ow 
deceased, and at one time a celebrated lawyer of 
Chicago, attended school under iiim. Our subject 
came to Michigan in Octolier, IH.id. proceeding 
directly to Washtenaw County, where he arrived 
the 1st of November. He began his school in 
Clinton, Lenawee County, in 1843, and during his 
residence here took up one hundred and sixty acres 
of land from the Government where lie now resides. 
He purchased a little log liouse 20x24 feet in di- 
mensions, for which he paid $.i. This he moved 
upon his farm and then went to work to clear up 
the place. He iniilt about one mile of oak rail fence 
and used six yoke of oxen to one plow in order to 
break the ground. He took nineteen loads of stumps 
on a hay rack from one acre of land. 

( )ur suliject was married in JNIadison County. 
N. Y. to Miss Flora L. Randall, a native of tliat 
State — one son is the i.sstie of this union, Francis 
M.\ he resides in this township on a farm. Mrs. 
Flora Palmer died in Madison County, N. Y., in 
1833. He contracted a second marriage witli his 
wife's sister in 1837. Her maiden name was Phi- 
delia D. Randall, and she w.as also a native of Mad- 
ison County, N. Y,, and there born .June 3, 1820, 
being the youngest of eight children, comprising 
four sons and four daughters, and the daughter of 
Roswell and Priscilla (^Morgan) Randall, who were 
natives of Connecticut. Mrs. Palmer's father died 
at the age of seventy-five and the mother when six- 
ty-eight years old. Her paternal grandfather, Jed- 
ediali Morgan was in the Kevolutifiiiarv War and 



was under Col. Ledyard. Her father served as a 
Lieutenant in the War of 1812 and her grand- 
father. Philander Randall, was in the Revolutionary 
War. 

Our sul)ject and his estimable wife are the par- 
ents of six children, there being four sons and two 
daughters. They are FMora C., who is now the wife 
of Henry Calhoun of Bridgewater Township; Dr. E. 
N. of Brooklyn, .laekson County, this State; the 
Doctor is a graduate of the medical department of 
the I'niversity of Ann Arbor. He has one son, 
F'redrick W., who is attending school at Ann Arbor. 
Albert V. is a mercliant at Yates Center, K.an.; he 
married Ella Chillis and is the father of three 
daughters and one son. They are Abbie E., Nellie 
F., Eric O. and Iva. Henry R. has been twice mar- 
ried; his first wife w.as Miss M.ary Selover. By that 
marriage there was one daughter, (Tcrtrude. Mrs. 
Henrv Palmer died iu April, 1879. He then mar- 
ried Eliza R. F]nglish. There is by this union one 
son whose name is D. Whitney. Addie S. is the 
wife of Arthur .1. Lowery; they are the parents of 
three children — Albert A., Emmet and Roy P. 
Ara H. is station agent at Brooklyn. He married 
Florine Woodard and is the father of two daugh- 
ters, Louisa F. and Adne R. 

Our subject while in New York State served in 
several public offices. He was School Inspector for 
ten years and on first coming to Michigan was soon 
.appointed to the same office; he also served as Jus- 
tice of the Peace for nine years and was then made 
Town Clerk, which office he has filled for thirty- 
six years. F\ir seventeen years he was Secretary of 
the Southern AVashtenaw Insurance Company and 
for twentv-fiA'e vears was Notarv Public. 



?RANCIS .1. FREEMAN. A representative 
^^ and leading citizen, and one of the pioneers 
of this section, our subject resides on sec- 
tion 14, Ypsilanti Township, this count}', of which 
he is also a native. He w.as horn November 28, 
1832, and is a son of .\dan and Elmira (IVLason) 



464 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Freeman. Adan Freeman, the falher of our sub- 
ject, emigrated to Michigan and kwated in tliis 
county aliout 1831. at which time he entered a 
tract of (iovernnient land in Yp.silanti Township, 
securing eighty acres for *1.25 per acre. After a 
long residence ujjon his place during which time 
lie greatly improved it, he died about 18(;(), iiis 
decease leaving a space that could never be lillcd. 
not only in his family but in the community. 

Of a lai-ge family born to the parents tlie follow- 
ing survive: Frederick, Francis J., Minerva, Walter, 
Levi S. and Lucinda. Frederick resides in AVayne 
County, this State; Jlinerva is the wife of Nicholas 
.Toslyn, of (Jratiot County, this State; Walter lives 
in Dearborn County; Levi S., in Ypsilauti Town- 
ship and Lucinda is tlic wife of .loliii Watcrbury.oC 
^'psilanti Townslii]). 

The father of our subject settled in the midst of 
the forest and soon Ijecame iniu'ed to the hard- 
ships of j)ioneer life. The sterling fibre of his 
nature would not, however, permit him to relin- 
quish his hold upon the advantages that lie here 
saw befoi-e him. He was a strong Republican in 
politics and in early days was prominent as an or- 
ganizer and leader in local ofilcial affairs. 

V. .1. Freeman, he of whom we write, was reared 
to manhood in the locality in which he now lives. 
He knows thoroughly the meaning of pioneer life, 
as he, himself, has cleared up a large amount of 
land, hewing down the trees and laboriously burn- 
ing out the stumps in order to get the soil in s!ia|w 
for jjlanting. He acquired a knowledge of the 
three R's in the district school of his native town- 
ship and was tlieie equipped fora practical struggle 
with the affairs of life. He, like most Americans, is 
a well-posted ;inil well-read man. and converses in- 
telligently on the leading topics of the day. He 
has been a life-long farmer and has made a success 
of his calling, bringing the whole strength of his 
mental ability to liear upon his life work. 

January 1, 18()2, the original of our sketch was 
mai'ried to Miss Mar\- K. Covert, a daughter of Abra- 
ham Covert, an early settler of Washtenaw County. 
By this union our subject and his estimable wife 
are the parents of two children — Nellie J. and 
Archie C. The former is the wife of Willard G. 
Wiard. ^Ir. Freeman is the owner of one hundred 



and sixty acres of land, which handsome property 
he has acquired by his own exertions. Our subject 
has served in several official capacities. He was 
School Director and has ever striven to encourage 
high aspirations and aims in this particular direc- 
tion. He and his wife are memliers of the Presby- 
terian Church and are potent factors in the social 
life of the community. He is a Republican in 
politics, a public-spirited and generous-minded 
man who finds favor among all classes of people. 
He has been interested in the clearing up of two 
farms and has accomplished about as much i)ioueer 
work as any man in this district. Mr.F'reeman is 
generally known for his excellent business qualifi- 
cations and is an able financier. His fine farm 
attracts general attention because of the exquisite 
nicety with which it is kept. His residence is com- 
modious and attractive and a rallying place for the 
best people of the locality. He enjoys the entire 
confidence of the business communitv. 



^^ll-^-l^ll^ 



AMD L. GODFREY. This well-known 
])j pioneer, who is ever\where respected for 
his sterling worth, makes his home in 
Ann Arbor Township. He was born in 
Morrison ville. Orange County, N. Y., August 21, 
1827. His father. Thomas II. Godfrey, was a native 
of the same county and was of German and Irish 
stock, while his mother, Fannie MoUock, was of 
German ancestry. In 1832 the family came to 
Washtenaw County, and settled four miles west of 
Ann Arlior, where David (Todfrey, the uncle of 
our subject had made his home in 183(1. The 
widow of this pioneer is .still hving in Ann Arbor 
and has now reached the age of eighty years. 
She became a widow in April. 1887. Three other 
brothers came to ISIichigan namely: Adimijah. 
.Isaac and Bailey and made their homes in this 
county at about the same period. 

After living for a year and a half upcm his 
brother's farm, Thomas H. Godfrey located in 
Sylvan Township and about the 3ear 1837 went 
into mercantile business at Ann Arbor for .some 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



465 



three years. lie then took charge of tlie Sylvan 
Center Hotel and passed the remainder of his da\s 
in that line of business. His death oceurred at 
Chelsea some eight years ago, when he liad reached 
the age of eighty-two years. He was one of the 
early business men of Chelsea and was ever es- 
teemed a genial Boniface, and was one of the most 
popular landlords that this coimty has ever seen. 
This gentleman also served his fellow townsmen 
in various local offices. His widow survived him 
for exactly live years and also departed on the 
same day of the month which had seen his death. 
They had a family of five, namely: William H., 
David L.. Rebecca J., Henry B. and Alice Irene 
who died in infancy. "William went to .San Ber- 
nardino, Cal. in search of gold and has never re- 
turned to this part of the county, and Rebecca is 
the widow of C. F. Butterfield, of Detroit. 

He of whom we write was but four years old 
when his parents emigrated to AVashtenaw County, 
and here he received the training of pioneer life 
and of the log school-house. He lived with his 
parents until 1857 .and then spent two years in 
Chelsea engaged in railway construction. In 1857 
he went to Lapeer County for seven yuars .and 
w!is on the Mision farm there until 18(54 when he 
came to the farm which he now has, which was 
settled by Klnathan Botsford in 1824. This com- 
prises two hundred and forty acres of excellent 
land which had been improved l)y its pi'evious 
owners and where he carries on general farming. 
His political views have brought him into sym- 
pathy with the Republican party and he takes a 
public-spirited interest in .all party movements. 

At the age of twenty-six years David (Jodfrcy 
w.as united in marriage with Helen Doud. who 
died in 1860, leaving one daughter, Luella, who 
lived but a short time. In 1863 oiu- subject mar- 
led Ellen Botsford whose father, Elnathan Bots- 
ford, and mother, Eliza Smith were of E.astern 
birth, the Botsford family being among the earliest 
settlers of ^lilford. Conn. The originator of this 
family in America. Henry Botsford, came from 
AV.ale.s. In 1824 the father of Mrs. (iodfrey took 
up the homestead of one hundred and sixty acres 
from the (lOverment and then retmiu'd to New- 
York and married, returning with his bride the 



following year. This alliance was blessed by the 
liirth of eight childi'en, three .sons and five daugh- 
ters, one becoming Mrs. (Godfrey. 

Elnathan Botsford was in 1846 one of ihc oii- 
ginal purchasers of the tr.act of INIilfoid which was 
purchased from the Indians. He was piloted 
through the woods from New Haven by AVilliam 
Tibbl.as who is mentioned in various ways through 
the history of this family. The only son of this 
progenitor was Elnathan and from his son, Samuel, 
comes the l)ranch of which we treat. Samuel's 
son, David, had a son. Eli, wlio is the father of 
Elnathan, Mrs. (Godfrey's father. 

Eliza vSmith's father w.as Waitstill Smith ami the 
original of this family w.is Lieutenant Saul Smith 
of the Engli.sh navy at Ipswich. In 176;S he came 
to Connecticut and for twelve years was a member 
of the Colonial Assembly in which he wsis quite 
prominent .as a i)ublic officer and died at Hadley, 
Mass., leaving nine sons and three daughters. He 
and his eight .sons served throughout the Revolu- 
tionary War, and with one of his sons he was pre- 
.sent at the surrender of Cornwallis. His son, Israel, 
was one of (ren. W.ashington's staff and was also a 
Colonial Governor of Massachusetts. His seventh 
son, Ephraim, became the father of Waitstill who 
was the father of Eliza Smith, the mother of Jlrs. 
Godfrey. Ephraim was a i)hysieian and was active 
in the battle of Bunker Hill. He lived to reach 
the age of ninety-nine years and died in the year 
1839 at Howell, Mich, whither he had come with 
his son, Waitstill. The cast iron mortar in which 
he compounded medicines is now in the liands of 
his gieat-gran d d a ugh ter. 

Elnathan Botsford and Eliza Smith were m;irrieil 
in Peiry, N. Y., April 22, 1825, and came directly 
to Washtenaw County, where he carried on l)0th a 
farm .and a mercantile business, as he was a good 
financier and was able to manage a large concern. 
He dealt extensively in real-estate and at the time 
of his death his farm contained some fotir hundred 
acres. He was a Whig and an Abolitionist in his 
views of public affairs and his loss was severely 
felt when he was called from earth, .Tnnuaiy 6, 
1853. His wife had been taken fiimi his side, 
December 5, 1817. His family consisted of Siuiili. 
Ellen, Henry, AHicrt. Anna, Celia, .Alary (cle- 



466 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ceased), Mina and Jasper who died in infancy. 
The three sons make their home in Chicago; 
F;ilen, Mrs. Godfrey, was born February 23, 1832; 
Anna is Mrs. PhiHp Bach, of Ann ArV>or; Celia is 
Mrs. William Gillett; Mina B., who is now Mrs. M. 
B. Sheley has taken much interest in ti'acing the 
family genealogy from the early settlement of Wi\- 
ford, and her daughter, .Mary Pond Botsford She- 
ley, has a chiffonier brouglit over from England by 
Sir Peter Pond, the originator of that family in 
this country. The Godfrey family has no descend- 
ants to carr^- out this interesting line of genealogy. 



.^O 



<«^^RUMAN W. BALDWIN, a retired farmer, 
,4^t, living on sections 22 and 23, Sylvan Town- 
■^^P' ship, was born in Addison County, Vt., ou 
the 2d of June, 1822, and is a son of Treat and So- 
phronia (Glidden) Baldwin, natives of Vermont 
and New York respectively, but married in the for- 
mer State. Our subject's father was a farmer 1>>- 
calling, and in April, 1835, seeking to better his 
condition, he came to Michigan and settled in this 
township, engaging hi farming on section 26. He 
then removed to Indiana and lived in that State 
for twelve years. Later he became the owner of 
land in the village of Sylvan Center, this State, 
where he made his residence, and at his death was 
at the home of our subject. 

Mr. Baldwin, Sr., in the days of his political 
youth was a Whig and later, on the formation of 
the Republican party, cast his fortunes with 
that party. He died in the year 1862. The 
mother passed away in 1839, while living on sec- 
tion 26, in this township. Our subject's paternal 
grandparents were Miles and Anna (Ives) Baldwin, 
natives of Connecticut. The l.ntter became a far- 
mer in Vermont, where he spent the remainder of 
his life. Both he and his wife were of English de- 
scent. On the matern.al side of the house our sub- 
ject is descended from Thomas and Lydia (Simms) 
Glidden, natives of New York. Tlif former w.as a 
f.armer l>v calling and a man of redoubtable 



strength and reputation. He was a Revolutionary 
soldier and noted for his loyalty to the cause of 
independence. He died in his native State. 

At the age of fourteen our subject came AVest 
witli his parents. The greater portion of his edu- 
cation was acquired in A'ermont, although he 
attended scliool in this vicinit\' after coming to 
this State. He has ever since lived within two 
miles of his present residence. He first became a 
property owner in 1844, when he purchased a farm 
on section 27, this township, which comprised forty 
acres of oak openings. This he improved, but 
later sold and purchased on sections 22 .and 23, 
which lie now owns. This was at the time oak 
o|)cniiig> and an unpromising piece of land when 
it came to clearing, the work being very great in 
order to put it in good productive condition, 
rndaunted, liowever, he set to work, first building 
a home, which is still his residence. It is pleas- 
antly located on high ground and commands an 
excellent view of a wide range of country. Ertun 
his own d<miain he can see nine different town- 
shii)s, his place V)eing located on rolling land. It 
is three and a half miles from the town of CheLsea, 
and the pretty village can easily be seen from his 
home. 

For tile past twenty-five years Mr. Baldwin has 
given his attention largely to the raising of fine 
American-Merino sheep. This business has been a 
paying one to him, but during the p.ast three 
years, feeling that his advancing years exemiited 
him from hard labor, he has greatly lessened his 
responsibilities and work in this direction. He was 
one of the first, however, to introduce the Ameri- 
can Merino into Sylvan Township. He hiis be- 
sides kept thoroughbred cattle and for the past 
eight years has been breeding horses, having the 
Morgan and Cleveland Bays and the Hambleton- 
ian. He has also bred some very fine Clydesdale 
! horses. 

In 184() our subject was married to Miss Betsy 
A. Fenn, of this county, although a native of New 
York. She is a daughter of Levi ISIclntyre. Two 
sons, Alphonso and Adelbert A., have been the 
fruit of this union, the former dying at the age of 
fourteen. Adelbert married Ettie Dickson and is 
the father of two daughters, Angle L. and Elsie D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Mr. Baldwin favors the Prohibition party. He is 
a member of tlie Baptist Church and has Hlled 
every oftice in ehurcli exceptin": tliat of pastor. 
One of the most reliable men of the county, the 
loss of none would lie more felt than that of he of 
whom we write. 



^?^ LUICK is a member of tlie lirm of Luick 
III ^--, Bros., large manufacturers of doors, sash, 
'\i^[ blinds, and dealerss in all kinds of build- 
ing material. The business was established in the 
year 1873 on its present site, on the corner 
of North and Fifth Streets. They have a large 
busines;, and patrons not only from the city but 
from the neighboring towns, and employ from 
eight to ten men constantly. Besides the costly 
and expensive machinery which is owned by the 
firm for planing, they have a lathe which turns 
wood ten feet in length, and consequently for 
turned pieces used in heavy building they are 
equipped to do the best work. The engine that is 
employed in the factory of the steam planing mill 
is of sixty-horse power. 

Mr. Luick was born in Washtenaw County, 
March 27, 1846. He is a son of David and Cath- 
erine (Beck) Luick, both of whom were natives of 
Wittenberg, Germany. They emigrated to Amer- 
ica in 18:53 and settled in Lima Township, this 
county, on a farm where the father of our subject 
carried on a general agricultural business that in- 
cluded stock-raising to a considerable extent. The 
father was an honest and hard-working man and a 
loj'al citizen of his adopted country. He died in 
1872, when in his sixty-ninth year. His wife died 
in 1860. They were the parents of twelve chil- 
dren, having had seven sons and five daughters, 
ten of whom are still living. 

Our subject is the youngest son of his parents. 
He spent his boyhood days on the home farm and 
during that time attended a district school. He 
worked on the farm until eighteen years of age 
and then learned the carpenter's trade, at which he 
served a regular apprenticeshiij for three years. 



He worked at his trade and as a farmer in partner- 
ship with his brother, Emanuel Luick, until 1868. 
They continued till 1873, when they launched into 
their jtresent business upon rather a small scale. 
So great has their success been, however, that they 
now use a fine brick building 62x80 feet in dimen- 
sions and two stories in height. They here turn 
out work of very superior character, believing it 
to be unworthy their reputation to do cheap and 
unsatisfactory work. 

In 187.'i Mr. Luick was married to Miss .Julia 
Kupff, of Ann Arbor. Mr. and Mrs. I^uick are the 
parents of one son, Oscar D. He was educated in 
the schools of this city, finishing at the High 
School, and is now the able assistant of his father 
in the planing mill. Our subject has served as 
Alderman twice and is a Democrat. He is Presi- 
dejit of the Ann Arbor Savings and Loan Associa- 
tion. In connection with the other enterprises in 
which he is interested, he is one of the directors of 
the Piano and Organ Company of this city, and a 
director of the Ann Arbor Fruit and Vinegar Com- 
pany. His home is at No. 21 Williams Street and 
there he enjoys all the comforts of true home life. 



^>-^^<m= 



;\L 3IARTIN is an undertaker, located in 
Ann Arbor. He was born in this city De- 
cember 7, 1847, and is the son of Oliver ]\r. 
Martin, a native of New Jersey. The mother of 
our subject was born in New Tork. Mr. Martin. 
Sr.. came to Michigan in 1845 and at once em- 
ployed himself at his trade of a cabinet-maker. 
He lived here and continued to be interested in 
carpentry and cabinet work until his death, in 
1887; he was then in his sixty-second year. 

Our subject's father was awarded many prom- 
inent positions bj' the municipality with which he 
identified himself. He was Mayor of the city, also 
Marshal, and in politics was a Republican. His wife, 
who survived him, died in 1886. 

Oliver M. JLartin was a student in the Ann Ar- 
bor schools in his boyhood, and after linisliing his 
course entered his father's shop to assist him in the 



468 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



undertaking business, he having been the first to 
establish this industry in tlic city of Ann Arbor. 
On the death of the elder Mr. Martin our subject 
succeeded to the business. He has all that apper- 
tains to the profession and the caskets that he 
kee])s on hand are of the finest workmansiiip. 

Mr. Martin was married in 1881, to Mrs. Carrie 
Polhemius. a daughter of Samuel Fisher, she hav- 
ing been a widow prior to her union with oursuli- 
ject. Mr. Martin is a memlier of the Fraternity 
Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons and of the 
Knights of the Maccabees. His place of business is 
located at No. 12 Washington Street and his resi- 
dence at No. 18 S. Fifth Avenue. It is a beautiful 
home of frame structure, built in the modern style 
and located on one of the best streets and most 
attractive neighboi'hoods in the city. 



y 






\T/ MANLEY YOIINCi^ is a well-to-do and 
prominent farmer located in Saline Town- 
^—. ship, this county, where he was born Decem- 
(^/y ber 2.5, 1832. He is a son of .lames H. 
Young, a native of Massachusetts, who was there 
born in 1798. He was a cooper by trade and antici- 
pating a bright future for the then Territory of 
Michigan, left his liome and came to Washtenaw 
County in 1830. coming from Buffalo to Detroit 
by way of the lakes, thence to Saline Township by 
wagon. He \ww purchased eighty acres of land 
on secliun 17, and then entered one hundred and 
twenty acres of (4overnment land and suhsecpietly 
j)urchased eighty acres of school land. There were 
at the time no improvements on the place, there 
being only a log house on the eighty .acres which 
he purcliased. 

The first clearing between Saline and Clinton 
Townships, a distance of twelve miles, was done 
on tiie place wliicli our subject's father bought. 
The forests abounded in wild game and Indians 
camped in the vicinity. The work of clearing and 
improving the laud went on apace and he m.ade it 
his home until 1866, wlien he removed to Ann 



Arbor, where he lived for a short time. He died 
at the home of his daughter in the town of Macon 
in 187.5. He was an old man at the time of his 
death, having lielonged to the staff of the (iover- 
nor-(Teueral in Massachusetts during the War of 
1812. He enlisted in the Black Hawk AVar but 
only got as far as AVhite Pigeon, this State, when 
news came of the surrender of the great Indian 
Chief. During his early years he identified him- 
self with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

In the early days our subject's father was 
ol)liged to go to Detroit to get groceries. He set- 
tled in the woods and like other pioneers saw some 
hard times. Our subject's mother was, prior to her 
marriage, a Miss Rebecca Tufts, who was born in 
JIalden, Mass., in 1797. She died in 1867. They 
were the parents of five girls and two Ijoj's, two 
daughters besides oiu' sul>ject s\u'viving at the 
present time. 

.T. Mauley Young was bom in the log house in 
which his jjarents moved on first settling here. 
His education was acquired mostly in the district 
.school, which at first was held in a log building. 
After finishing the primary studies, he attended 
the State Normal Scliool at Ypsilanti for a little 
more than a year. In 1861 he began to engage in 
farming on the old homestead and in 1862 he 
went to Effingham County, 111., where he farmed 
for six years. In 1868 he returned to iiis old 
home where he has since lived. (Jur subject's 
marriage took place in 1 86 1 , at which time he was 
united to ^li.ss Sarah .1. Parsons, a native of Saline 
Township. She w.as his helpmate for twelve years 
and then died in .lanuary, 1873. .She left to her 
bereaved husband live children — Edway C, Alfred 
M., Sarah .T., .Tames A. and Irene. The eldest son 
is Auditor of Douglas County, Wash., and lives at 
Waterville; Alfred is still at home as is Sarah J.; 
.Tames A. is with his l)rother in Washington; Irene 
is a teacher. All have had good educational 
advantages and are bright and enterprising young 
people. In 1875 our subject again married, the 
lady of his choice being Miss Clara Mitchell, 
of Canada. Two children have blessed this 
union — Cora ;uid Alden. A Democrat in his 
political attiliations, our subject has filled sevei'al 
local offices, has been Highway Commissioner 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



469 



and Townsliip Clerk for three years. lie has 
also been Justice of the Peace and Supervisor 
for two terras. Mr. Young has Ijeen sent as a 
delegate to various conventions and has taken 
quite an active part in local politics. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, having been so 
connected since 1865. lie owns three hundred 
and thirty acres of land that is well improved and 
bears a good class of buildings. He began life 
with limited means and has made by his own 
efforts most of what he is now possessed. 

Our subject's Grandfather Young was a sea 
captain and a native of England. The great- 
grandfather of our subject was killed at Brad- 
dock's defeat in Virginia, just prior to the Revo- 
lutionary War. He had emigrated to this country 
from England. 



/^WIKISTIAX F. IvAlT. M. 1)., was born in 
III ^ Ann Arbor Township, this county, .Tanuary 
^^^'' 26, 1846. His father, whose name was the 
same as that of our subject was a native of Willen- 
burg, (iermany, and came to Washtenaw County 
in 1836. lie was a weaver by trade and was em- 
ployed in that way until coming to this country. 
He located first on a farm in Ann Arbor Town- 
ship, but afterward pvu'chased a farm in Northfield 
Township, which latter he improved and resided 
upon the remainder of his life, expiring at the age 
of seventy-six years. He was a democrat and 
much interested in the political affairs of his'adopted 
country. He was .Justice of the Peace for a num- 
ber of years and also served as Highwaj^ Commis- 
sioner. In his religious views he was a Lutheran. 
The mother of our subject, Regina Schlichter, 
before her marriage, was a native of the same place 
and country as was her husband, coming to this 
countr}^ and State with the family of Mr. Duble. 
She died at the age of seventy-six years. The 
marriage of the old people took place in the city 
of Ann Arbor and they became the parents of 
eight children — five daughters and three sons. 



Dr. Kapp is one of a pair of twins, the other being 
Mary A. He received his first schooling in the 
district schools of his township and finished at the 
Ann Arbor High School. His first course in med- 
icine was taken in the medical department of the 
University of Michigan, tlience he went to the 
Cincinnati Medical College where he graduated 
.June 21, 1876. 

November 1 of the same year in whicli our sub- 
ject graduated, he located where he now resides 
and has since tiiat time built xip a fine practice. 
He was united in marriage June 13, 1872, to Miss 
Julia .\. Kempf, who was born in Washtenaw 
County, in Northfield Township, January 1, 18.53. 
She was the seventh child in order of birth of 
eight that were born to her parents, who were 
Frederick and Agnes (Elsaeser) Kempf, who were 
natives of Woodenijoiu-gh, (iermany. They were 
married in jVnn Arbor and there the mother died 
at the age of fifty-one years ; the father at the age 
of sixty-two. 

.\fter marriage Dr. Kapp localt^d on a farm and 
follow^ed the agricultural calling for two j'ears. 
In 1873 he went to Ann Arbor to take a course of 
lectures and has since been in the constant practice 
of his pi'ofession, his efforts being rewarded by a 
gratifying degree of success. He has moreover 
attained a good financial position, having a one- 
half interest in one of the brick business blocks in 
the village. It was built at a cost of $12,000 in 
1882. Our subject is a Mason socially and belongs 
to the Knights 'IVmplar, having joined the Ann 
Arbor Lodge, No. \'A. He is also charter member 
of the Ancient Order of I'nited Workmen, of 
which he has been Medical Examiner since the or- 
ganization of the society. 

Dr. Kapp is also a charter member of the Knights 
of Honor and is Medical F^xaminer of this society. 
He is also Medical F^xamiuer of the Knights of the 
Maccabees. Aftlliatiug with the Democratic party 
for two years, he served by election on the Village 
Council and has been a member of the School 
Board for twelve years. He and his amiable wife 
are the parents of two children. Edith M. was 
born in Ann Arbor September 12, 1876 ; and 
Christian V. born in Manchester, November 6, 
1878. Aside from his professional interests. Dr. 



470 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Kapp is also connected with the hardware and 
lumber business at Manchester, buying and sellinir 
for the wliole.salo trade, and findins;- tliis a source 
of c<>iisidernl)li' |iri)tit. 



^^i-^ 



AUREX SANFORD is one of the early set- 
tlers of tills county, he havinsj come to 
^ Superior Township and located five miles 
northwest of Yjisilanti in September, 1843. Mr. 
Sanford was boi-n near Homer, Cortland County. 
N. Y., Jlay 30, 1817. He is a son of Friend and 
Stella (fJrannis) SanfiH'd.both being born in Chesh- 
ire. Xew Haven County. Conn. Our subject's father 
lived in his native place until hi.s marriage when 
the young couple started out in life in New York, 
where they purchased a home and lived for many 
year.s, coming to AYashtenaw County in 1^47. 
They passed their latter years in the home of our 
subject and left a f.ainily of eight children. The 
father died December 1!>. IHoS. and the motlier 
:March t>, l«f>0. Of the children Hiram and Bur- 
ton died in New York; Caleb Sidney died in 
^Lissaehusetts; Harriet, the wife of E. L. Aiken, 
died in this State; Louisa came \nth the family to 
this State; Caroline, the wife of E. AV. AA'hitmore, 
died in Kan.sas ('it3-; and Julia, the youngest 
member of the family, died while an inmate of our 
subject '.« home. 

Lauren Sanford came west before his marriage 
and purchased a farm comprising two liundred 
acres, fifty acres being under cultivation. During 
the years that have pas.sed he h.as added greatly to 
its value in the improvements that he placed upon 
it. Mr. Sanford has held various local offices, 
among them those of School Inspector, Higliw.'iy 
Commissioner and Township Clerk. 

September 28, 18o(). Mr. Sanford inairicd .Abuy 
E. Harper, of Livonia Township, AVaync County. 
Mich., and they have two sons — .Inlius H. and 
Edwin R. .1. The former is engaged in the Amer- 
ican Express ottice at Ann Arbor. Having lost 
his family he makes his home under the paternal 
roof, as does the younger son, Mrs. Sanford was 



born in Plymouth Township. March 19, 1831, and 
is a daughter of Thomas and Teresa (Guile) Har- 
pei-. Her father was born in Kingsbury, N. Y',, 
and there he married Miss (iuile, a native of Sara- 
toga, N. Y. They immediately came AY est after 
their marri.ige, which was solemnized September 
17, 182U. Their family comprised Mrs. Sanford 
and Sarah ('., who is the wife of James AA'ilcox of 
Cliarlotte. Eaton County. Mr. Harper died in 
Livonia Townsljip December 21, 1863. The 
mother died at Bay City at the home of her 
daughter. September 22. 1880. 

Airs. Sanford is a member of the Bai)tist Church. 
.All. Sanford votes with the Prohibition party and 
before he c.ist his vote in this way he was a stanch 
Democrat. Our subject left the farm and came 
into the city in October, 1881, when he purchased 
a fine home at No. 708 Pearl Street and has there 
lived ever since. He still owns this farm and 
receives from it a comfortable income. Mr. San- 
ford was educated in Groton Academy, Tompkins 
County, N. Y., and from twenty-two years of age 
taught sehocjl for ten years. Mrs. Sanford received 
the rudiments of her education in the district 
school of Livonia and finished at the State Normal 
School .-It A'psilanti. 



-^^^1 



1^^ 



m 



T OHN H. NICKELS. This gentleman, who 
was for many years engaged in the meat busi- 
ness in Ann Arbor, is now retired from the 
active pursuits of life. He was born in 
Devonshire, England. July 23, 1833, and is the 
son of Thom.as and Diana (Cox) Nickels. The 
father followed the butchering business for many 
years in London whither he went when our subject 
was fifteen years old, and there the jiarents both 
died. The father was born in 1800 and died in 
1853. The mother survived until 1^74. Of her 
eleven children nine are now living. 

Our subject attended school until he reached the 
age of fourteen veal's, when he entered his father's 
meat market as an assistant after the removal to 
London. He remained with him until he completed 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



171 



Ill's twentv-flrst year, after wliicli lif served for 
three \'ears on the high seas, sailing on tlie North 
and Baltic Seas. After his discharge from the 
naval service he embarked in the meat l)iisiness in 
London, England, hut after four years sold out his 
interest in the business. In May, 18()0, he moved 
to Canada, making liis first liome in Lockwood, 
where for four years he carried on the meat busi- 
ness and stock jobbing. Selling out he removed 
to the town of (l.alt, where he remained for the 
space of twelve months. In December, ISG;"), he 
came to ^Michigan stopping first in Detroit and 
afterward in Ann Arbor, where he established 
himself in the meat Imsiness independently and 
continued therein until 18b!7 when he retired from 
business. 

During the same year our sultject erected the 
Nickels Block, which contains two stores three 
stories high. It is built of Inick and the upper 
floor is used as a public hall where dancing parties, 
receptions and other parties may be held. Mr. 
Nickels was married in April, 1860. to Miss Eliza- 
beth Ellis, the daughter of Mathew Ellis. She is 
now the mother of four children, namely: Thomas 
E.. who is engaged in running a meat market; 
Emily, wife of Dr. .1. S. .Johnson, residing in Sioux 
Falls, S. Dak.; Harry Cox, now a dentist in Mont- 
pelier, Ohio; Stafford B., who is assisting Thomas. 
Mr. Nickels is a member of the Episcopal Ciuiicli 
and in his political views is a Republican. 



\]i—. ^^^- ORMAN CLARK is a farmer, whose 
r)l) tract is located on section 34, and he has 
'^)^ charge of four hundred acres of land. He 
(5©) is a pioneer in this State, having come here 
while it was still a Territory, at the time of his 
advent purchasing fifty-nine acres of land from 
the Government. He was born in the township 
of Rata via, Genesee Count}-, N. Y., March 1, 1809, 
and is a son of Lemuel L. and Rosanna (Rich) 
Clark, natives of New York, who lived and died 
in that State. The f.nther w.ns a Whig and did 
};ood service in tiieANar <>f IK12. lie and his wife 



were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Our suliject's paternal grandparents were Samuel 
and Mary (Lee) Clark. They were farmers in Gen- 
esee County, N. Y., and on both sides were of Ger- 
man descent. Our subject wiis one of a family of 
eleven children born to his parents and of these 
only three are now living, our subject, Orlin and 
William. 

While under the parental roof Mr. Clark was 
well drilled in the duties pertaining to farming, 
lie remained at home until eighteen years of age 
and then with the consent of his parents he went 
to live with a doctor who had promised to educate 
him. However he received only twenty-seven 
days of schooling in three years and during that 
time he was worked almost to death. He was fin- 
ally emancipated and took a trip to Ohio, spending 
a winter there with his brother Orson, and thence 
went to Penns^ivania where he remained until the 
following fiill. Next he went to New York, of 
which State he was a resident at that time for five 
veal's and was married to Miss Sarah S.. Pearsons, 
a native of that Strife. .Mrs. Clark's parents came 
to Michigan in 1837 and settled near Eaton Rapids 
where they took U)) some (iovernment land and 
engaged in farming. There they remained until 
their death, which occurred near Planewell, Kala- 
mazoo County, this State. The father was a Whig, 
politically, and he and his wife were in church 
matters associated with the Methodist Episcopal 
denomination. < If the ten children born to them 
live are now living. Louisa is a Mrs. Whitcomb. 
The others are .loliii T.. .losiah I)., Albert and Al- 
fred. 

After our mbject's marriage he purchased land 
of the Holland Land Company in Genesee County 
and built a log house in the woods where he and 
his wife lived for four j^ears. They then sold their 
property and returned to Batavia. There they re- 
mained for one year and then came to Michigan, 
taking boat from Buffalo to Detroit and thence 
proceeding on foot to the farm which he now owns. 
After securing his farm Mr. Clark returned to New 
York and purchasing two ox-teams and a cow he 
started West with his wife, three children and 
household goods and after a journey of twenty-one 
days reached the spot which he had selected as 



172 



PORTRAJT AND BIOOKAPHICAL ALBUM. 



their future home. Mr. Clark was one of the most 

enterprisino; pioneers of the county, and has held 
almost all of the ollices of the township. In 1868 
he was elected to the Lower I louse of the Legisla- 
ture of Micliigan, taking his seat in 18()9 and serv- 
ing for two years. He and liis wife liave been the 
l)arentsof thirteen children: CMiauncy P., Sylvester 
X.. Sarah A., Fanny F., Frank, Etta, Elvira, Flora, 
Annie, Belle C.jAlmira, Caroline and Lilly M. The 
children that are deceased arc Alinira. Frank and 
Charles. Mrs. Clark died April 9, 1880. Our sul)- 
ject cast his first vote for (Jen. Jackson and has 
ever since been a consistent and ardent Democrat. 



fW^llOUXS .T. KEECll is tlie manager of the 
(iW^ Fredon lvUml>er Yard in Ann Arl»)r. Mr. 
V^'^ Keech was born in the cily of Buffalo. 
N. Y., in January, 1840. He is a son of Thun)as 
J. and Lucy (Beckwith) Keech. Tlie motlier was 
a native of Connecticut, and tiie father of New 
York. Our subject was a posthumous cliild, the 
father dying a few months prior to his birth. 
.Vfter some time Mrs. Keech married again, living 
for .some time in Buffalo, our subject making his 
home with her. His stepfather was James Bennett, 
and with him our subject and motlier removed to 
Cleveland, Ohio, ahd remained there for three 
years. From that place tliey removed to Lancaster. 
Erie County, N. Y., making tliat tlieir liome for 
three years, and then returned to Cleveland. 

Oiu' subject began his commerci.al career hy en- 
gaging as a clerk in the beautiful Oliio city on tlic 
lake. Afterward he went to Forest City, and later 
was engaged in a notion and variety store, and 
then was attracted to the oil regions, wliere lie was 
clerk in the post-ottice at I'lumnier. remaining 
until the death of the Postmaster, when Mr. Keech 
succeeded tlie former incunibent of tlie otHce and 
had entire control of the place until a new Post- 
master was ajipointed. He then went to Pithole 
City, Venango County, Pa., where he was engaged 
as clerk. He remained there for six mouths, and 



then went to Petroleum Center and served as clerk 
in the office of Hiram IJlackman, who was running 
a store and was also Postmaster of the place. Our 
subject remained tliere a .short time. 

Contracting a serious illness, Mr. Keech returned 
to Lancaster. N. Y.. and remained for a time, and 
on recoxcring his health was united in marriage 
with Miss Augusta Clajip, of Lancaster County, 
.N. Y. She was a daughter of George Clapp, Esq. 
Li 1867 the original of our sketch removed with 
liis family to Ann Arbor aud became a clerk for C. 
Sutherland ik Co.. dealers in lumber. He remained 
with tho.se imrties until they sold out their busi- 
ness to Fredon ct Son, who desired to retain Mr. 
Keech as an emiiloye. He remained until 1878, 
when James Tolbert, of East Saginaw, bought out 
the business, and Mr. Keech was made manager of 
the yard. Here m.ay be found the best grades of 
lumber, and most gentlemanly attendants for those 
wlio desire to purchase. 

( )ur subject w.as elected Alderman from the 
Fourth Ward two terms, and has dcme efficient 
.service for his city. At present he is a memljer of 
the Board of Public Works. President of the same, 
and one of the principal organizers of the Build- 
ing and Loan Association, having been President 
for some time over the same. He is a member 
also fif the Hetail Dealers' State Lumber Associa- 
tion. 



St. Thomas' Catholic Churcli, is a native 
of this State, and is familiar with the 
)^ various phases of life to which his parish- 
ioners are born and reared; hence he is in peculiar 
sympathy with them and well qualified to lie the 
leader of his flock. Father Kelly was born in Van 
Buren County on a farm, December 30, 1861, and 
is a son of Thomas and Mary (Hannan) Kelly, na- 
tives of Ireland. They emigrated to the I'nited 
States when they were young, and married while 
residents of New Y'ork State. 

Our suliject's parents soon after marriage re- 



PORTKAI r AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



473 



moved to Van Buren County, this State, and set- 
tling on a farm became engaged in stock-raising. 
There they still reside in the enjoyment of pleas- 
ant rural life. Tliey were the parents of eight 
children, of whom our subject is the youngest. 
He acquired the rudiments of his education by at- 
tendance at the district school during the winter, 
and worked on the farm dining the summer. As 
soon as fitted for collegiate work, he was sent to 
St. Mary's College, Cincinnati, Ohio, commencing 
his career as a student in that institution in 1876. 
He there spent three years and thence went to 
Baltimore, Md., where he entered St. Charles Col ■ 
lege and afterward finished .at St. .loseph's Provin 
cial Seminarw Troy. X. V.. gr:iihia1iiig from this in 
1880. 

On taking holy orders. Father Kelly w.as first 
assigned to a charge in Battle Creek, becoming 
pastor of St. Philip's Church, there spending two 
years, and was afterward transferred to Monro 
College as l^rofessor of English and I^atin literature. 
On the death of Father Leavy, President of the 
college, the Rev. F\ather Kelly succeeded to the 
charge, remaining there until the pastor was 
elected. Later Feather Kelly was transferred to St. 
Joseph's Church at Dexter, Mich., where he re- 
mained for one 3'ear. In .lunc of lKi)l lie came 
to Ann Arbor to take charge of present congrega- 
tion, which comprises in his parochial district three 
hundred families. Connected with the church is 
St. Thomas' Parochial School. The building is a 
handsome structure, modern in style of architec- 
ture. 



o 



"N 



eAPT. HF;NRY S. BOFTKLL. In tlie hi>- 
. tory of our late war, the nnnie of our suli- 
^ ' ject will be found as not having borni' iiii 

unimportant part in that eventful struggle. Ik- 
was a member of the old Fourth Michigan Cavalry, 
and commanded a part of the expedition of one 
hundred and twenty-eight men who captured .Jelf 
Davis. From "Michigan in the War" we e.vtract the 



following: On September 19, Lieut. Boutell of 
Company B, with a detail of fifty men was sent 
out as a guai'd (from Ro.sswell, Ga., where his 
division, the Second, was encamped) to a forage 
train. They were attacked by a force estimated at 
two hundi'ed mounted men. Lieut. Boutell and 
his men drew sabres and diarged, driving the 
rebels off, he receiving a ball through his right 
hand, the bones of which were badly sh.atterod, 
while two of his men were captiu-ed. On their way 
back to camp they were again attacked by the same 
rebel force and again the gallant Boutell led a suc- 
cessful charge against them; his useless right hand 
hanging by his side. On M.ay 10. 18fi.T, Lieut. 
Boutell was commissioned Captain. 

Our subject was l)orn in Wheeler, Steuben 
County. X. Y.. November 13. 1830. His father, 
SamiieL was born in Windham County, Vt. His 
grandfather. Samuel was born in Massachusetts 
near Boston. Thej- trace their ancestry back Ui 
the F>ench Huguenots. His grandfather was in the 
Revolutionary War one of the noble patriots, to 
whom we are indebted for our existence as a na- 
tion; he was a well-to-do farmer in Windham 
County and a well-educated Justice of the Pe.ace. 
He represented his district in the Vermont Legisla- 
ture for thirty-one years, and died there. Capt. 
Boutell's father was a farmer. He settled first in 
Albany County, afterward removed to Steuben 
County, and later to Monrc^e County. He served 
three months in the War of 1812. In 1853 he came 
to Michigan, locating in Milford, Oakland County 
as a farmer, where he remained until the year 1875, 
when he came to live with our subject, and died in 
1876. In politics he was first a Whig and after- 
ward a Republican. In religious belief he was a 
Presbyterian. ("apt. Boutell's mother, Caroline 
Billson, was born in Albany County, N. Y. She 
was the daughter of Henry Billson a farmer and a 
Minute Man in the Revolutionary War. He was 
descended from the old Holland Dutch; his re- 
ligion was Dutch Reformed. His mother died in 
Howard City, Kan., where she resided with a son. 
There were nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Boutell, one of whom, Samuel, died in infancy. 
Our subject, Cornelius, who was in the Fourth 
Michigan Cavalry ser\c(l until the close of the 



7< 



474 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



war; he died in Howard City. Hiram enlisted in 
tlie First Micliigan Infantr_y in 1861, and was 
wounded at the battle of Bull Run. He was after- 
ward promoted to a Lieutenancy in the Jlic-liigan 
Lancers, and then in the Seventh Cavalry in 
which he remained until the close of the war. 
Alexander enlisted in the Lancers and was after^ 
ward in Capt. Brown's Quartermaster's Department 
at Nashville, .lohn was in the Fourth Michigan 
Cavalry and served his country until peace was 
declared; he now resides in Howard City. Eliza- 
Ijeth. Mary and .Sarah are now deceased. It will 
he seen from this record how largely the I'.dutell 
famil_y inherited the noble patriotism of fatliei' 
and grandfather. 

Capt. Boutell worked on his father'.s farm fmni 
1K44 until IHiil, where he was obliged to bear tlii- 
brunt of the biu'den owing to his father's incapac- 
ity for work. In 1851 he came to Michigan by 
boat to Detroit, and from there to Ypsilanti, where 
he worked land for Mr. Ballaid. In 18.53 he went 
back to the farm in order to help move the family 
to Milford. He was eng.aged in farming in 1862 
when August 11, of that year lie enlisted in Com- 
pany B, Fourth Michigan Cavalry; he was mus- 
tered in at Detroit, and from there was sent to 
•Jefferson, Ind., where he remained for two weeks, 
after which he marched South. He took i)art in 
the following battles and skirmishes: Crab Or- 
chard, raids after Morgan, Stone River, and in all 
ninety-six battles and skirmishes. He was never 
absent from the Held nor in hosi)ital until Septem- 
ber 26, 1864, when he was wounded tirst at Ross- 
ville as previously spoken of in this sketch. He 
had charge of the dismounted men until Novem- 
ber 12, when he went home on a furlough. From 
the time he enlisted until he was honorably dis- 
charged from the service of his country, Capt. 
Boutell was gradually promoted, step by step from 
high private until he was commissioned Captain in 
1865. The history of his career through the war 
is a most enviable one and he came home covered 
with laurels to receive the congraluLations of his 
friends on his safe return and on his gloiions 
record. 

hi September, 18(!6 he came back to Ypsiianti 
and worked as clerk in a dry-goods store for Sam 



Post where he received the munificent salary of $60 
for six months. The following six months he re- 
ceived 125 a month. He remained with Mr. Post 
until he quit the business selling the last of his 
goods on the road at auction. He bought a farm 
in 1867 containing forty acres after which he 
added to it and in 1869 had a liand.some farm of 
eighty acres which he improved and on which he 
has lived ever since with the exception of six or 
seven years. From October, 1868 to January 1, 
1870 he acted as Clerk in the State Land Office 
after which he engaged a.s traveling salesman for 
the Nerre Tobacco Works of Detroit, through 
Michigan. With them he remained until July, 
1875, returning to his farm in M.ay. 1882. He was 
Deputy Collector in the Detroit Custom Hou.se four 
and one-h.alf years, .and for three ye.ars in charge 
of the office at the foot of Woodward Avenue. 
After leaving there fifty of his fellow-officers pre- 
sented him with a testimonial of respect in the 
shape of twelve pieces of silver table service, giving 
him a banquet in the evening, thereby showing 
their practical appreciation of his worth. 

Capt. Boutell now pays his attention to general 
farming and the raising of fine horses, such as the 
Ilambletonians and standard strains. Some of 
these he has raised, have run successfully on the 
track. In 1890 he was elected Marshal and by virtue 
of his office he became Chief of Police. In 1891 
he was appointed INIarshal by the ^I.ayor; he was 
al.so appointed Poor Master in 1891. He has a 
capacious and handsome residence located at No. 
517 Pearl Street. 

Capt. Boutell was married in Adrain, May 23, 
1877. His wife Miss Katie Carpenter was born in 
Ontario, Canada, and is the daughter of Horace 
Carpenter, who was born in New York. Her fa- 
ther w.as a railroad man, also contractor and builder 
for the Michigan Central railroad and afterward 
the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern; he has 
lived in Yjisilanti since 1848. Mrs. Boutell's 
mother, Ann Gibbons was boi-n in Ireland and re- 
moved from there to Canada when a child, remain- 
ing there until her marriage when she came to 
Ypsilanti. where she died in 1889. As the result 
of this union there were five girls and two l)oys, 
Mrs. Boutell beinj; the fourth in order of birth. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



475 



This young lady was reared and i'diK;\ted in Ypsi- 
lanti and was engaged in teaching tor seven years 
in the Fifth Ward Seliool continning to teach vnitil 
her marriage. One child, Horace, has been the re- 
sult of this union. Mrs. Boutell is a prominent 
member of tiie Episcopal C'liurcli, and cluirch 
societies and is a very accomplished lady. Oiii- 
subject has been Townsliip Treasurer for five terms 
and is a member of the following societies: l<'r('(' 
and accepted Masons, is charter meml)er of the 
Lansing Post and the Farrbanks Post G. A. H.. 
at Detroit. He is a member of the Army 
of the Cumberland, and has been President one 
term of tlie Fonrtli Michigan Cavalry jVssoci- 
ation and is a member of the Executive Com- 
mittee. In politics he is a true blue Republi- 
can. He has beeii a delegate to county conven- 
tions and every State Conventicm of his party 
since the war with the exception of two. He is a 
member of tiie Republican County Coniniittee and 
has been Chairman of the City Committee for 
three years. As will be observed liy these posi- 
tions of trust, Capt. Boutell is very popular, and 
deservedly so, as he has always jiroved honest and 
true to the trusts imposed on liini. 



llURKE SPENCER. A native of the county 
in which he now resides and a son of .'i 
family whose history was identified with 
the State in daj'S of earlier and simpler sty !<■ 
of living, he of whom we write is now possessed of 
a fine farm of his own on section 2, Ypsilanti Town- 
ship, where he is known as a i)romincnt agriculturist 
and stock-dealer. He was born May 7, 183H, and 
is a son of the Hon. Grove and Emilv (Millington) 
Spencer. His mother was a daughter of Dr. Abel 
Millington, one of the early settlers in this locality. 
Our subject's father was a native of Massachusetts 
and his mother of New York State. The Hon. Grove 
.Spencer came to this State when a young man. 
He was by profession a lawyer, to which he devoted 
himself in early life, but on the failure of his healtii 
he turned liis attention to farming. l'V)r a time he 



conducted the law business at Ypsilanti, settling on 
tlie farm where our subject now lives in the spring 
of 1844. There he spent the remainder of his life 
and passed away in 18.'j4: his wife survived him 
liy many years, her decease occurring Maj' 24, 1887. 

The original of our sketch was one of eight chil- 
dren, he being the second in ordei' of birth. Tliey 
are Burke, Capt. Clinton Spencer, now at Lansing; 
Emmons, who resides in California; Grove, who 
lives in Ypsilanti; Daniel in Detroit and Lydia in 
Ypsilanti. The last named was formerly a teacher. 
The senior Mr. Spencer had served as Supervisor 
of Ypsilanti Town.ship for a numlier of years, and 
was for several terms a member of the State Leg- 
islature, being a member of the first .session held 
at Lansing after that city was made tlie capital of 
Michigan. Educational matters were to him of 
all-absorbing interest, and by his unceasing efl'ort 
he was instrumental in securing the Normal School 
at Ypsilanti. He was in his political preference a 
Whig. His interest in educational matters w.as not 
a hobby but an outcome of carefully compared and 
considered systems of worldwide reputation. 

Burke Spencer, our subject, was reared to man- 
hood in his native place. The fundamental prin- 
ciples of education were instilled into his young 
mind in "the Union and Normal schools of Ypsil- 
anti, and in the usual way he attained manhood 
by alternately receiving the frowns and favors of 
fortune. He was married October 10, 1864, to Miss 
I'hebe Blackmar, who was born in Wayne Count.\', 
this State, August 14, 18.37. She is a daughter of 
William and Laura (Tibbetts) Blackmar, the former 
of whom is now deceased; the latter making her 
residence now in California. The Blackmars wei-e 
natives of New York State and ^Mrs. Spencer's 
father w.as but a youth when he came to AViiyiie 
County, this State, her mother having made hei- 
advent here when but seven years of age; tlicy 
were among the earliest settlers of the State. Of 
the children born to her parents twelve survive. 
They are Caroline, Phebe, .lulia, Mary, Laura, Eslioii, 
R,ansom, Clara, Frank, Amelia, Lavinia and William. 
The eldest daughter is now the widow of Dr. Darl- 
ing, of Toledo, Ohio; .lulia is the wife of (ieorge 
Stewart, of Wayne County. Mich.; Mary is the con- 
sort of Oscar I'uMchct. of Tult-ilo. Ohio; Ltiura 



476 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



married Levi Winn, of Sycamore, 111.; Esbon resides 
in Toledo, Ohio; Ransom makes his home in C'.ili- 
foniia; Clara, who is the wife of Hugh Wise, re- 
sides in Alaska; Frank lives in California, as does 
William; Amelia is the M'ife of Charles Chope and 
lives in Detroit; Lavina is tlie helpmate of .John 
Humjilirey niid makes lii-r home in I'.riahton. tliis 
State. 

The jfentileman of whom we writ<^ engages ex- 
tensively in buying and shipping eattle and sheep, 
which he finds to he most profitable business. 
Liberal in his own religious views, our subject en- 
courages his wife in her inclination for the Presby- 
terian Church, of which she is a member. Politi- 
cally our subject inclines to the platform of the 
Democratic pai-ty. His farm is not extensive, 
comprising only sixty acres of land, all of which, 
however, is under a high state of cultivation. 
Social life would be incomplete without the genial 
face and ready wit of he of whom we write, and of 
his amiable and accomplished wife. The Spencer 
family is recognized as among the time-honored 
members of ]>inneer life in Waslitenaw County. 



SIDNEY A. COLLINS is the owner of the 
farm on section 18, Lyndon Townshi]). 
) His place comprises two hundred and 
eighty acres of land, .and undoubtedly he 
hiis one of the finest farms in the township. His 
place also bears the l)est of improvements, his 
buildings being commodious and substantial. His 
dwelling is an attractive home, beautified as 
regards its exterior by a fine prospect, choice 
varieties of trees, a pleasant lawn and beautiful 
shrubs. The barns are roomy and well built. Jlr. 
Collins is a native of Wayne County, N. Y.. liav- 
ing lieen born in the township of Hose, May 8, 
1828. He is a son of Alpheus and Betsey (Hall) 
Collins, natives of A'ermont and New Jersey re- 
spectively, who were married in New York State. 
Our subject's father was an extensive farmer in 
his native county, but desirous of having a broader 
chance he came West in 18.51. and settled at Pitts- 



field, Washtenaw County, taking up the one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land from the Government. 
It was at that time all timber openings. He erected 
a cabin, which .served as his first homo, and 
there he with liis family remained for eighteen 
years, in the meantime adding fine buildings to the 
])lace and improving the farm. He then sold it 
and came to Lyndon To%msliip, and here was the 
owner of a farm comprising five hinidred acres of 
land. This was his home for the remainder of bis 
life. He occupied various offices in the township, 
having been Justice of the Peace and Supervisor. 
Politically he was a Republican, and in his church 
relations he and his wife were associated with the 
Methodist Episcopal body. They were buried on 
the farm which they owned. 

Jlr. Collins, Sr., was regarded as one of the rep- 
resentative pioneers of the county and a man of 
great intelligence and mental calibre. He was 
elected one of the delegates from this county to 
form a State Constitution, and was a signer of the 
original instrument, the convention being held at 
Detroit. Our sutiject was one of a family of eleven 
children born to his i)arents, of whom nine grew 
t() maturity. Only two of these are now living — 
lie of whom we write, and Dr. AVilliam W. Collins, 
of Albion. Calhoun County, where he is a promi- 
nent physician, having enjoyed an extensive prac- 
tice for the past twenty years. 

The original of our .sketch was educated in the 
district school in the vicinity of his home and at 
Albion, finishing at Ann Arbor. After completing 
his course he engaged in teaching for two wintei-s 
at Unadilla, Livingston County. He was reared a 
farmer boy and lived at home until he was twenty- 
one years of age. He then started out for himself 
and i)iu-chased sixty-four acres of land, being the 
nucleus of the farm upon which he now lives. Hav- 
ing no resources at hand Mr. Collins was obliged 
to run in debt to a considerable extent for his 
place, but being successful from the first he was 
enabled soon to liquidate tlie indebtedness and 
added piece by piece oilier lands. 

On first settling here our subject foiuid only a 
log cabin on the place, in which he lived for eleven 
yeai-s. He then built his present fine home and 
tlnee large barns and sheds. He has been engaared 



i^-^-l 



\ '''^fb J 




--%: 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



479 



in mixed husbandry, and was also for three years 
engaged in buying and sliipping stock to Detroit 
and Buffalo. He has held various ofliccs in the 
tOwu^hil^, and is a stanch Repulilican and prutec- 
tionist. 

Sidney A. Collins was married in 185(1. to S\ivia 
Reed, wht) was born in New York. She is a daughter 
of Ira and Mary A. (Scofield) Reed, natives of On- 
tario County, N. Y. Her parents died when Mrs. 
Collins was young, but prior to their decease thej- 
had removed to Ann Arbor, where the father was 
Sheriff. Mr. and Mrs. Collins are the parents of 
six cliildren, whose names are as follows: Miriam, 
Ida. Loda, Adah, Lucia and Agnes. The second 
daughter is now Mrs. Dr. Palmer, of Chelsea,and the 
mother of two children; Loda married IMontgom- 
ery I'pdyke, and is tlie mother of one child; Adah 
married Edward Sprout and has two children; 
Lucia married Frank Bott. Our subject h.as greatly 
appreciated the advantages that education gives a 
man or woman, and has spared no [)ains or means 
that his children might I)e well equipped mentally. 
lli> daughter, Ida, w,as eng.aged .as a teacher, .and as 
a family. his children are proficient in music. Our 
subject and his wife are members of the Methodi.st 
Episcopal Church, he having lieljjcd to t)rganize a 
church of that denomination in Waterloo, in 1874. 
1 [e is a Class-Leader, and has held all the oflices in 
tlie church. Of a deeply religions nature lu t.akes 
a great intei-est in .all church work. 






r 



\f|OHN W. COWAN. Integrity, intelligence 
I and system .are characteristics which will 
^^, , advance the interests of any man and will 
^i^)) tend to the prosperity to which all asjiire. 
Such are some of the traits of the gentleman whose 
l)ortrait is shown on the opjiosite page and whose 
residence is in the village of Manchester. Wash- 
ington County, N. Y., was his native home and he 
was born November 10, 1822, his father, .lohn M. 
Cowan, being a native of the same State and born 
in 1792. The father removed to Washtenaw 



County in 1838 and buying a farm there sojourned 
during the remainder of his life, passing away at 
the age of seventy-two years. He was a man of 
prominence in the community and actively identi- 
fied with the Democratic party. 

The mother of our subject who w.as known in 
her maiden days as Elizabeth Green, was born in 
W.ashington County, N. Y., in 1797, and was 
reared in her native home. She died in Monroe 
County, N. Y., at the age of forty-five years and 
the father took as his second companion, Hannah 
Deiemater. To our subject's parents were born 
three sons and five daughters, and of them only 
two are remaining. 

.Tohii AV. Cowan's boyhood days were spent in 
W.ashington, Monroe and Onondaga Counties, N. 
V. At the .age of eighteen years he came to Mich- 
igan with his father and remained with him until 
lie reached his majority. He then began to work 
for a neighboring farmer and after two years un- 
dertook a different line of business, bnjing and sell- 
ing produce through the winter and thresliing and 
farming during the summer, continuing thus for 
some ten years. In 18.5 1 he was united in the bonds 
of matrimony with Dorcas M. Thompson, who was 
born in New York but came to Michigan when 
quite a young girl, .and received much of her 
training and education in Dexter Townshiji, Wash- 
tenaw County. 

The first home (»f the young couple was in 
Sharon Township and there Mr. Cowan engaged 
in general merchandising and farming. He sold 
out his property there in 1875, and the follow- 
ing ye.ar came to Manchester locating where he 
now resides. He at one time owned and carried 
on a farm of fifteen hundred acres and was at the 
same time engaged in various lines of business, in- 
cluding wagon-m.aking, blacksmithing, a meat mar- 
ket and a livery staVile. At that time he kept fif- 
teen hundred sheep, thirty head of horses .and 
other stock in jiroportion and sold one clipping of 
wool for ii!6,(M)(). He carried on business in this 
large way for .some twenty-five years but in 1878 
retired from all .active business. 

For many years Mr. Cowan was .Justice of the 
Peace and has served as Notary Public, Collector 
of the Townshiji. and School Director. lie has 



480 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



been much depended on for drawing up legal pa- 
pers for his neighbors, and has drawn deeds, mort- 
gages, etc., and has also been an auctioneer. Only 
one child, a daughter, Kate K., blessed tiiis home 
and she was called from the arms of her loving 
parents at the age of eleven years. Mr. Cowan 
has kept a record of his daily life for the past 
thirty years and can turn to any day iu tliat period 
and give an intelligent account of his doings at 
that time. His ability, sagacity and unusual busi- 
ness facilities have made him conspicuous in this 
county and his reputation is wide spread. 

The attention of the reader is invited to tlie 
lithographic portrait of Mr. Cowan, which appears 
elsewheie in this volume. 



4^ 



^OHN SMALLEY, li prominent farmer re- 
siding on section 36, Manchester Townsliip, 
. was born in Putnam County, N. Y., in tlie 
'^) town of Kent, May 23, 18<)6. He is a son 
of Isaac Smalley who was born in the same jilace 
as his son. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War and was one to be stationed upon the island 
to protect the city of New York. His decease took 
place in his native town in 1812. Our subject's 
mother was, prior to her marriage. Miss Lizzie 
Russell, and was born about fifty miles, north of 
the city of New York in Kent Township, Putnam 
County; her decease took place in 1818. 

Our subject is one of six children born to his 
parents. They all reached manhood and woman- 
hood and became the heads of families of their 
own. John Smalley is the foiu-th child and the 
only one of the family now surviving. On the 
death of his mother when tlie lad was twelve years 
old he was taken into the family of Samuel Sarles, 
remaining witli liim but a short time, then went to 
make his home with his grandparents; he afterward 
went to stay with a family liy the name of Kelley, 
at a time whei. all the members of the family were 
stricken with sickness and unalile to help them- 
selves. He remained with tliis family fur about ten 
vears, after which he made his liome at a place 



called Bulls Head in New York City where he was 
engaged in handling horses, bu\ing and selling 
them for other people. He was also employed in 
mason work and many of the stone walls in the 
country about New York were put togetlioi- l>y his 
hands. 

Mr. Smalley was married in Putnam County. 
N. Y., in 1830. to Miss Maria Gunnings, a native of 
Putnam County, N. Y. Soon after the wedding 
they came to Michigan and proceeded directly to 
IjCnawee County where they remained for live 
years. Thence they removed to Washtenaw Comity 
and settled in Manchester Township, where our 
subject now resides. The first home occupied by 
the family was a log house, which he had hewn 
from the standing timber and put together him- 
self. It had a dirt door and no windows and the 
roof was made of slabs; within were six chairs, a 
table and some other necessities. Undaunted, 
however, by the privations of the time and place 
he set himself to clear the tract and he succeeded 
in making ifran admirable and productive place 
and now has the distinction of being the oldest 
settler in the township. The log house was soon 
replaced by a small frame house. It was surrounded 
then by eighty acres of laud, now there arc two 
hundred and twenty five acres, all well im|iroved 
and the result of his own labor. 

There were five .sons and one daughter born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Smalley. The eldest James is deceased 
as are Huldah and Charles. The living are Francis, 
Jonathan and Ceorge. The mother of the.se chil- 
dren died March 13, 18.5(5; our subject afterward 
married Miss Jane Wilson April 14, 18.57. Mrs. 
Smalley was born October 28, 1809 and remained 
under her father's roof until she was married, at 
which time she came to Michigan. Mr. Smalley 
handles many hor.ses in the county, buying and 
shipping to New York City by the carload and is 
probably a better judge of horseflesh than any 
other man in the county. He has also bred some 
good horses and has the finest cattle in this part of 
the country, frequently shipping them to New 
York City, where they command the best prices. 
At one time one head received as high as $300. He 
has also been in the sheep business, keeping as 
manv .'is four hundred head at <me time. After a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



481 



long life spent in active business, he is now en J03- 
ing a respite from caie and responsibility. His son 
(ieorge carries on the place and has a one-half in- 
terest in its products. Politically. Mr. Smalley is 
a Republican. In his church relations he with the 
members of his famih' belongs to the Metliodist 
Kpisct)pal iiody, ho having been a Trustee in the 
same. 



)<"?■>[= 



i^^'ITL'S F. HUTZEL is a member of the firm of 
m(^\ Hutzel & Co., of Ann Arbor, plumliers, 
V^^/ steam and gas fitters, and dealers in paints, 
oils and glass, their place of liusiness being at Xo. 
1 4 South Main Street. Our subject was born in 
this county. Febru.ary 18, 18;')."), and is the second 
son of August F. and Saphia (Mann) Hutzol, 
natives of Germany. IMrs. Hutzel 's father was one of 
the pioneers of the State. Titus F. Hutzel. our 
subject, received a good educatif)n in the city 
.schools of Ann Arbor and on leaving school be- 
came an assistant in his father's grocery store. 

Not finding this business congenial to his taste, 
lie concluded to change it and learn the tinner's 
trade with .John SLumacher and Weitbrecht, with 
whom he spent three years. He then traveled as a 
journeyman for the firm. Leaving them, he went 
to Detroit and learned the plumbing trade, spend- 
ing four years at the Detroit Nittle and He.ating 
Works. Returning once more to Ann Arbor, he 
went into the plumbing business on his own .ac- 
count, continuing the same until the firm of Hut- 
zel it Co. was formed in 1878, devoting his time 
entirely to the plumbing department of the busi- 
ness. 

In 1880, our sutjject having shown good business 
ability, was taken in as full jiartner of the firm, 
his father being one and his brother Herman the 
other members of the firm, incorporating the 
plumbing business with that of paints, oils and 
gl.ass. The firm did an extensive busine.ss running 
up to 1889, when the two brothers purchased their 
father's interest, still continuing business on the 
same stand, under the firm name of Hutzel A' Co. 

In addition to their oilier business Hutzel A- Co. 



have turned their attention to the construction of 
water- works, having put in the water- works at Ann 
Arl)or, also at Klgin and Streator, 111. Titus F. 
Hutzel w.as married in 1884 to Miss Emma Brehni, 
of Ann Arbor. She was a daughter of Peter 
Brehm, whose ancestors came from (Termany. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hutzel have had three children: Eleanor 
L., August F. and Ima. Mr. Hutzel is President 
of the Ann Arbor Sporting Club, is also a member 
of the Ann Arlior Workingmen 's Society. He and 
his wife are both members of the German Lutheran 
Cluirch, in the interests of which they take an ac- 
tive part. They have a handsome residence at No. 
81 West Huron Street. Mr. Hutzel has been one 
of the directors of the Ann Arbor Water Company 
since its organization. He is also one of the stock- 
holders in the Micliigiin Furniture Company, as 
well as lieing a stockholder in the Ann Arbor 
Piano and Organ Works. .Mr. Hutzel's success in 
life is entirely due to his own push, pluck and per- 
severance, from a small beginning having risen to 
a position of prominence in this community, where 
he is so well known and thoroughly respected. 



URT F. SCHUMACHER. The gentleman 
whose name is at the head of this sketch is 
^)jjj the second son in order of birth of his par- 
ents' family and the third child. He was 
born in the city of Ann Arbor, January 10, 1868, 
and is a son of .lohn Schum.acher, who died Febru- 
ary 16, 1890. The latter was one of the prominent 
and enterprising workers of Ann Arbor — a man of 
fin.ancial standing and one who sought to promote 
social and personal purity. 

Our subject's father who was also born in this 
city, September 11, 1839, and who died at the date 
above given, was greatly mourned by hundreds of 
people, to whom he had endeared himself through- 
out a lifelong residence in this city. For a long 
time the cause of temperance had no more earnest 
defender .and the reformed man no truer friend. 
He was a son of Frederick Schumacher, who was one 
of the earliest .settlers in this part of the .State. 



482 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Between the ages of fourteen and seventeen he 
lived in Detroit and Toledo, but spent the remain- 
der of his life in this city. After learaiug the 
hardware trade he started in business for himself 
and at the age of twenty -two he was married to 
Miss Sarah Harkins, who with four children sur- 
vive him. A daily paper publishing an obituai-y 
notice at the time of his decease said of him that 
his best work will never be written. Only those 
whom his genial sympatiiy has lifted to a better 
life know the full extent of what he has done. 
For many .years his store on Main Street has been 
the center of all forms of temperance work, lie 
■ possessed the rare faculty of retaining almost uni- 
versal friendship while engaged with intense e;u - 
nestness in reformatory work. 

With such an example daily before him of virtue, 
unquestioned morality and piety, our subject grew 
to manhood and imbibed the principles that should 
guide a truly pure life. He was educated in tlio 
city schools of Ann Arbor and later entered the 
High School. On finishing his course he entered 
his father's store as an assistant and there learned 
the tinner's trade and remained with his father 
until his death, when he succeeded to the business, 
the place being located at No. 68 South Main 
Street, where may be found a good stock of both 
heavy hardware, stoves and furnaces, and domestic 
utensils. In stoves and furnaces oiu- subject car- 
ries a particularly good stock, having the latest and 
most ajiproved designs. He has in his manufac- 
turing estahlisliment the best machinery and is pre- 
pared to do satisfaetoi-y work for liis patrons. 



ENRY D. PLATT. This prominent citi- 
zen of Pittstield Township was born on 
section 11, of this township, <m the otli of 
August, 1835, his parents being Edwin A. 
and Caroline E. (Pardee) Piatt, both being from 
Rensselaer County, N. Y., where he was a farmer. 
The maternal grandfather came to America from 
Scotland as did also the paternal, but this was 
generations liack in the family history. A cinn- 



mou-school education was afforded our subject, 
and afterward he attended select schools lioth in 
Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. His father was called 
away by death August 28, 188;"), the mother had 
previously departed January 22. 1882. She was 
seventy-seven years old at the time of her decea.se, 
and the fallier readied eighty-six j^ears. 

Upon reaching his majority, our subject cele- 
brated New Year's Day, 1858, by taking to him- 
self a wife in the person of Susan, daughter of 
Sherman Hinckley, of this towiiship. Two sons 
crowned this marriage — William H., who was born 
in October. 1859, and is now a trader in Marshall 
County, Minn.; and Henry S., born in July. 1861, 
who is located at Rochester, N. Y., and is a travel- 
ing salesman, selling clothing in four States. The 
mother of these sons died in September, 1861, and 
was buried at Ypsilanti, and Mr. Piatt was married, 
in 1863, to Sarah M., daughter of A. Rowley, of 
.Marsliall, Mich. Two daughters have been granted 
to this union — L. May, who was born April 12. 
1864, and is at home with' her parents, and Nellie 
A., born in May, 1866, and now married to H. E. 
Cook, who resides at Minneapolis, Minn. 

Mr, Piatt began life as a farmer on section 10, 
of this township, and here he resided until the 
spring of 1865, when he sold out and purchased a 
small farm near Ypsilanti. After residing on that 
place for some time he exchanged it for his fa- 
tlier's homestead, upon which lie has resided since 
1866. Here he has a fine estate of one hundred 
and seventy acres, all in a high state of cultiva- 
tion, where he carries on mixed farming and pays 
a great deal of attention to tiie breeding of Jer- 
sey cattle, of which he keeps some six to twelve 
head all the time. In sheep he breeds the Shrop- 
shire and keeps a large flock. His father, who 
came here in 1833, ranks as a genuine jiioneer, 
and it was he who cleared this place from the con- 
dition of a wilderness. Upon this farm still stands 
in good liearing condition the first orchard ever 
set out in AVashtenaw C'ounty. 

The political attiliations of Mr. Piatt are with 
the Republican iiarty, and he has been Townsliip 
Treasurer for the past two years, and Pathmaster 
for many years, as he takes a genuine interest in 
ffood roads. He was one of the foundei's of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



483 



order of Patrons of Ilushandry in AVaslitenaw 
County, and has been on the committee of tlie 
State Grange for the past ten yeaiv, tal\inu; tlie 
place of the lale .1. AVelister Childs. lie was aj)- 
pointed by the members of the (irange to fight 
the well-known patent gate swindle, which case he 
carried to the I'nited States Court and gained tlie 
suit at every step. He was then appointed by the 
State (irauge to fight the drive well swindle which 
had been so extensively carried on. 'i'his was also 
carried to the federal courts, and liere he gained 
anotlier victory. 

In July, 1887, our suliject took the otlice of 
State Oil Inspector, by appointment under (iov. 
Luce, and held the office until June, 1891. He 
had twenty-three deputies appointed under him 
to attend to the business, and he did the generiil 
supervision, holding the office for two terms. Edu- 
cational movements alwaj"s command his interest 
and sympathy, and he has given to his fiimily a 
good education. He is a believer in the Chris- 
tian religion, but has never identified himself with 
anv oliurch. 



T/OSEril II. MANNING, is the genial man- 
ager of the Western Union Telegraph Com- 
pany at Ypsilanti, and has been so connected 
'^j) for the past twenty-five years, and for the 
last few years he has added and run in connection 
with his other business a tobacco and confection- 
ery store. :Mr. ^Manning wa.s born at Vi. Hrady, 
Sault St. Marie, his father having been stationed 
there by the (Government as Post Siu'geon, and 
while at that point our subject was born, March 20. 
1848. The immediate progenitor of him of whom 
we write, was Dr. William Manning, a native of 
Massachusetts, who was born in Harvard, jVu- 
gust 26, 1808. .\fter attending the Latin school 
in Bost(m, he entered Harvard College, and was a 
classmate of Ralph AValdo Emerson and Oliver 
Wendell Holmes. He took his degree as an ]M. I). 
(It the Iniversity of Maryland, at Baltimore. 



After finishing liis medical course, William Man- 
ning i)racticed in various places in the South — in 
Louisiana. Kentucky, Tennessee and Maryland, and 
afterward located at Uearborn, Mich., where he was 
married to Miss Ilepzibah P. Howard, a daughter 
of Judge Cyrus Howard, their nuptials being sol- 
emnized January 15, 1838. He remained in prac- 
tice at Niles, where he removed soon after his 
marriage, until his appointment through Gov. Cass, 
by the President .as Post Surgeon at Sault St. Marie 
and also as Indian surgeon. The family remained 
there until our suljject was nine years old and then 
removed to Maryland, where the father took charge 
of the Avalon Nail and Iron Works, in which he 
was interested with his brothers. He continued in 
that business until just liefore the war, when here- 
turned to Michigan to resume his practice at De- 
troit, Xiles and Dearborn, afterward removing to 
Ypsilanti, where he practiced until the failure of 
his health compelled him to give up his jjrofession. 
He died in Detroit, July 20, 187,5, where he w.as 
stationed as Emigrant Pliysician for the Michigan 
Central Railroad. 

Our subject is one of four children born to his 
parents, and the only one now living. The ances- 
try of his family is traced back in this country to 
about 163.5, when the first representative who set- 
tled here located in Massachusetts. Samuel Man- 
ning of the third generation native to America, was 
born in Cambridge, Mass., in 1644, near Harvard 
College. On tiie maternal side of the house, our 
subject is a grandson of Cyrus Howard, who, with 
his brother, Joshua Howard, establislied the arsenal 
and located the village at Dearborn. Cyrus Howard 
being United States Circuit Judge. His brother at 
that time was a Lieutenant and afterward Colonel 
in the First I'nited States Artillery in the Mexican 
War. Miss Howard was born October 13, 1817, at 
Eastou, Mass., and with her father came to Michi- 
gan in 1834. Her grandfather. Maj. Edward How- 
ard, was the son of Col. Edward S. Howard, who 
was on W.ashington's Staff during the Revolution- 
ary War. John, the grandfather of Edward S.. 
married the grand-daugliter of Mary Chilton, wiio 
was the first woman to step aslii:>re on the landing of 
the pilgrims from the ".Mayflower,'" and was of the 
second generation in .Vmerica, Cvrus Howard mar- 



484 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ried Nancy Keith, a direct descendant of the Rev. 
.James Keith, who was the first minister at Bridge- 
water, which was an offshoot of the Plymoutli C'ol • 
ony, and of whicii Miles Ktandisii and .Tohn Alden 
as members. 

Our subject was at different points with his fa- 
ther, leaving Baltimore when twelve years old and 
acquiring his education at the public and High 
Schools at Detroit, Niles and Dearborn, supple- 
menting the work of the schoolroom by an ex- 
tended course of reading by which he has made a 
broad education for himself. He has always been 
particularly interested in the history of early Col- 
onial days, and especially in the history of his own 
family. His great-grandfather, Samuel Manning, 
fired the last shot on the retreating British at Lex- 
ington, after the battle as they were entering the 
city of Boston, and in the disguise of an Indian 
took part in the Tea Party at Boston Harbor. While 
at Dearborn our subject learned telegraphy, and 
was engaged on the Michig.an C'entr.al Railroad at 
different points until coming to Ypsilanti in 186.5. 
He worked here in the dejjot for two years and in 
1867 w.as appointed as manager of the uptown 
office of the AVestern Union Telegraph ('omi)any. 
He succeeded the first nianager, who was appointed 
to the office up town, and has remained in this posi- 
tion ever since. He has also established a large 
cigar and confectionery store fin West Congress 
Street. 

Mr. Manning was for fourteen years a member 
of the local military company, lieginning his term 
of service as Sergeant, and resigning as a Captain, 
in 1886. He was chosen as a member of each of 
the State rifle teams which went to Creedmoor for 
three successive years, and in 1884 won the "Hilton 
Trophy" and "Inter-State" matches, in competition 
with teams from other States, the Fnited States 
Army and foreign countries. 

The mother of our subject is still living and 
makes her home with him. INIr. M.inning is a 
Republican in politics, and although not an 
office seeker, he has served occasionally as a club 
officer, and on committees, and iis delegate to 
conventions, etc. The mother of our subject's fa- 
ther w.as in her maiden days a ^Vli.ss Lucy Cogswell, 
a descendant of .Tohn Cogswell, a very wealthy 



broadcloth manufacturer, who came to America 
in 163,'), the ship in which he journeyed being 
"The Angel (iabriel," which was built for Sir Wal- 
ter Raleigh when he made his unfortunate trip to 
(iuiana. Mr. Cogswell chartered this vessel, and 
with his servants and belongings crossed the At^ 
lantic and was wrecked on the coast of Pema- 
quid. Me.; he. however, saved seven thousand 
pounds salvage, and chartered a coasting vessel to 
take his family and goods to Ipswich, Mass. The 
second house that was built on the original site of 
the first building about the year 1680, is now oc- 
cupied by descendants of the family. Our subject 
has in his possession copies of theC'oatsof Arms of 
the Mannings, Howards and Cogswells, the latter 
being gianted in 1441, to Lord Humphrey Cog.s- 
well. 



m 



OSKPH T. JACOBS. Among the active 
and [)rogressive business men of Ann Arbor, 
we are gratified to be able to give a life- 
sketch of the gentleman who is President 
of the firm of J. T. Jacobs & Co. This mercantile 
house carries a fine stock of clothing and was in- 
corporated in 1886 with a capital of $20,000. The 
Vice-President of the company is DcAVitt C. Fall, 
and Theodore A. Reyer is the Secretary and .lohn 
H. Cutting, Treasurer. 

Our subject's father, Josej)!! Jacobs, Avas a native 
of Pennsylvania where he was born in 1802, and 
was a manufacturer and a farmer before removing to 
Ohio. The mother, Eliz.abeth Tholem.an, was a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania and after marriage they set- 
tled in Philadelphia for awhile before removing to 
Ohio ill \h:M). Mt. Vernon, that State, was the Last 
point at which the father carried on his business 
hut his death occurred at Newark, Ohio. 

The subject of this life record was the third and 
next the youngest in his parent's family and his 
education was received in the schools at Mt. Ver- 
non. When only fifteen years old he began his 
nu'icaiitile career as a clerk in a dry goods store, 
and this continued until 1862 when he entered the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



485 



army, enlistina: in Company A, Ninety-sixth Ohio 
Infantry under tlie command of Col. Joseph W. 
Vane. Tliis body was assigned to the Army of the 
Tennessee and served foi- tliree years, tailing part 
in several battles. Mr. Jacobs was taken prisonei- 
and held for fifty-seven days after which he was 
exchanged and returned to his regiment which at 
that time was stationed in Texas. 

.\fter two years service in the Ninety-sixth Keg- 
iment our young soldier was transferred to the re- 
cruiting service and was commissioned as First 
Lieutenant, but afterward rejoined his regiment 
and received his h(morable discharge, June 10, 
1865, being mustered out at Charlotte, N. C, whence 
he was returned to Columbus, Ohio. He now be- 
gan clerking in a store and thus continued until 
1867 when he came to Ann Arbor and soon after 
entered into an arrangement by which he took the 
management of a store. After a time he purchased 
an interest in the stock and finally bought the en- 
tire business an<l has continued in it up to the 
present time. 

!\Ir. Jacobs has made a tine business of what was 
once his small venture and his store is now a large 
double one and filled with as well selected a stock 
of goods as can be found. Thus has he attained 
to a large share of the trade of Ann Arbor, and as 
his store is centrally located he has every advan- 
tage. 

Mr. Jacobs was married April 29, 186i», to Miss 
Elizabeth A. Aston, daughter of James A. Aston, 
of Columbus. Ohio. ^Irs. Jacobs was born and 
reared to womanhood in that city. vShe is now the 
mother of four children — Katie E., Charles J. N., 
Minna E.; and Clara J. 

He of whom we write is deeply interested in the 
cause of education and is the Chairman of the 
Buildings and (Ground Committee on the School 
Board and is also a member of the United States 
Board of Indian Commissioners. In his study of 
the Indian question he has made an extended tour 
through the West, visiting the Sioux agencies dur- 
ing the summer of IHIM. He is Secretary of the 
Ann Arbor and Vpsilanti Street Railway and is 
prominently identified with the Knights Templar, 
being a member of the Clinton t'onimanderv, Mt. 
Vernon, Ohio. lie belongs to the Welsh Post, 



(i. A. K., and to the Loyal Legion and is Aide-de- 
Camp to the Commander-in-Chief, Wheelock O. 
X'eazey. His beautiful residence on Thompson 
Street is most delightfully situated and very at- 
tractive both in its interior and exterior. 



^^il-^-i^il^^l 



p^ MANUEL LUICK is a member of the firm 



of Jjuick Bro.s., (Gottlovand Emanuel) man- 
f) ufacturers of sash, doors and blinds, their 
place of business being on the corner of North and 
Fifth Avenues, Ann Arbor. Our subject was born 
in Washtenaw County, April 1, 1844, and is the 
fourth of twelve children. His parents were David 
and Barbara (Beck) Luick, both of whom are na- 
tives of (iermany, emigrating to the LTnited States 
in 1839, and locating upon a farm in Washtenaw 
County. Mr. Luick was a most successful farmer 
until his death, which occurred in 1872, his wife 
preceding him to the better land in 1856. 

Our subject, Emaniiel Luick, passed his boyhood 
on the farm, having such school advantages as 
were offered to the average farmer boy of that 
time. At the age of eighteen he learned the trade 
of a carpenter, which he followed for some years, 
until he became thoroughly acquainted with the 
branches of the business. He formed a partner- 
ship with his brother (4ottlov under the firm name 
of Luick Bros., and started a planing mill, which 
partnership is still in existence. The brothers first 
started on a small scale, doing all the work them- 
selves, but as business increased they enlarged the 
capacity of the mill and now have one of the most 
substantial industries of Ann Arbor, turning off 
each year a large amount of business. The main 
building is a two-story brick structure which was 
erected in 1874. They employ a large number of 
men, and the machinery is driven by a foit\ horse- 
power engine. Tlieir business is centrally hicated 
in the best part of the city near the Micliig.an Cen- 
tral depot. 

In 1874 Mr. Luick w;is married to ^Miss Jx)ra 
Kalenhach. the daughter of Oottlov Kalenl)acli, of 
Fredonia, this county. Her p.arents were both na- 



486 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



tives of Germany, and were among the early set- 
tlers of Washtenaw County, to wliom the county is 
so much indebted for its present thrift and growth. 
Mr. and Mrs. Luick have four children — (Jlive L., 
Albert C"., Malinda and AValter. Mr. Luick is one 
of tlie stockholders of the Piano and ( )rgan ^Manu- 
factory. and is also a sl()(khf>ldor and director in 
tiie Vinegar and Fruit Works. In politics he is a 
Democrat. In the very ]ileasaut home with good 
surroundings at No. 28 East Liberty Street, Mr. 
and Mrs. Luick take deliglit in dispensing hospi- 
tality to their many friends in the city. 



1^^ .SAAC C SHAW. Among the prominent and 
' enterprising farmers of Saline Township, this 
Ji county, none liave more beautiful liomes than 
he whose biograpliical .sketch we take a pleasure in 
liere giving. The house, a view of which is siiown 
on an accompanying p.ige, is quite new, and is 
charmingly located on a commanding rise of ground. 
It is attractive in arciiiteetural design and beauti- 
fully finished as to the interior. It is quite in liar- 
inony with the way in wliich tlie farm in general 
is kept up, for eacii nook and cranny of fields, 
fences and barns is well kept, neat .and attractive, 
speaking well for the management of the owner, 
who looks beyond the work of tlie moment and 
tiie gain of the moment to tlie future. Mr. Shaw 
is a native of York Township, this county, and was 
born August 7, 18.38. He is a son of Robert Shaw, 
a native of Yorkshire, England, who emigrated to 
America in the ';30s and located in this county. 
He was engaged as a laborer in agricultural work 
for several yeai s. 

After working for some time our subject's pater- 
nal parent accumulated enough to buy eighty acres 
of (iovernment land in York Township. This he 
cleared and improved and later purcliased land in 
Saline Township, and liere spent the remainder of 
his life, his decease occurring October 20, 1890, be- 
ing at the time, in his eighly-.secoud year. He was 
born Septemlwr 25, 1808. He was a member of 
the Preslnterian Church, and had been Trustee for 



forty yeai-s. The early efforts of this industrious 
and self-denying man were crowned with success, 
and before his decease lie had accumulated three 
liundred acres of Land. He was very fond of hunt- 
ing, and in early days often engaged in that pas- 
time. 

Tiie motiier t)f our subject was in her youtli Miss 
Kliza Clark, a native of Windom, N. Y. She died 
.lune 20, 1H90, at the age of eighty years, and like 
her liusliand, was a member of the Presb3'terian 
Cliurch, .Six of the seven children born to these 
parents lived to be grown, and of these our sub- 
ject is the eldest. He was born and reared on a 
farm and in boyhood attended the district .school 
in a little log .sclioolhouse in the vicinity of his 
home. He remained at home, a,ssisting with tiie 
work of tiie farm until of age, and then was en- 
gaged as a farm laborer for two ^-ears. He began 
for himself after the war. but during that time lie 
assisted his fatlier. 

Our subject took unto liimself a wife, Deceinljer 
1, 1870. His Iiride was .Miss Elizabeth Wood, of 
Onondaga C'ounty, N. Y. She came to Michigan 
with her parents when young. Three children have 
lieeii the fruit of this union — Ida. Maliel, who is 
dece.ased, and Clifford. The surviving children 
liave received the best of educational advantages, 
and are briglit and progressive young people. Mr. 
Shaw is a Republican in his political sentiments. 
Jlrs. Sliaw is a Presbyterian in her churcli rela- 
tions. Our subject is the owner of one hundred 
acres of a fine quality of land. He here raises all 
classes of stock, which is not only a profitable, but 
a pleasing liusiness with him. His beautiful home 
was built in 1888, and is a place of the greatest 
comfort as well a,s perfect finish. 



i>-^^<i 



'OHN C. (iALE. No State in the forty-four 
gives greater encouragement to a man who 
desires to devote liimself to agricultural life 
'^^f' than does Michigan. Its resources are 
almo.st inexliaustible and it«i dimat* is adapted to 
the cultivation of varied crops. .Vs a fruit grow- 







RESIDENCE OF I. C. SH AW , 5EC.24.,SALI N t TR .WASHTENAW CO,, MICH 



W^^ — I.. J^ ■ ^~T 






I 







FARM RESIDENCE or JOHN C. GALE , SEC. 15., SUPER! OR TR.WASl-ITEIJ AW CO., MICH 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



489 



ing' country it is luiexcclled, and for raising grain 
and fitofk it is truly notalile. ( )ur subject is one 
who has found success in tlie line of agriculture 
and now follows general farming and stock-raising 
in Sujjerior Townsluii. His hirth occurred in l.S2(; 
in Schoharie C'ount\, N. Y., Iieing one of eight 
children born to Henry and I'eca (Cook) Gale. 

The children of this worthy pair were as follows: 
Kliza, who became the wife of Alouzo Chapin of 
Pentonville; Sallie, who was the wife of Michael 
Cole of .lackson, but is now deceased; Phoebe, 
Mrs. Oeorge Kimmel of Kendallville, Ind.; our 
subject; Andrew .!.. of whom we will speak more 
at length; Harriet, who married David Lefurge, 
an old settler of Washteaixw County; Henry S. 
and George C, both of Genesee County. 

Henry S. Gale, the father of this family, had his 
birth December 21, 1797, in Schoharie County, N. 
Y., and there he spent his 3'outh and early man- 
hood, and after his marriage and the birth of 
five children he came to Washtenaw County in 
1830. His was the fifth family that located in tiie 
woods in Superioi' Township, which \vas then 
known as IJahama Township. His children at- 
tended school in an old schoolhouse on what is 
now known as the .1. S. Mekim place. 

This pioneer, who was a true stalwart measuring 
si.\ feet and three inches in height, had a bodily 
strength which was remarkable, and he accom- 
plished great things in the subjugation of the for- 
est and the development of the resources of iiis 
farm. He was a conscientious member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and contributed freely 
to its support. His father. Roger (iale, was a 
prominent soldiei- in the "War of 1812 and the 
family have been active in public afifairs as far 
back as history records anything of them, and 
have been ardent Democrats since the formation 
of that party. 

( )ur subject was married in tlie sjjring of 1847 
to Miss Eletha, daughter of Henry Wilber, who 
came to Washtenaw County about the year 183fi. 
Four of their seven children have now reached 
maturity and have themselves become the heads 
of families. .Vndrew C. has married Miss Mary 
.Morgan and has four sons now living. Mary E. is 
the wife of Inslev Lefurge. .Inhn S. niMri-ieil .Tennie 



Armstrong, and Emma is the wife of Samuel .1. 
Lewis. He of whom we write owns a hand.sonie 
farm of one hundred and two acres which is in a 
Hrst-class condition and besides this has a good 
property at Y'psilanti. His capital at beginning- 
life was five Spanish silver dollars. He .served as a 
farm laborer until he reached the age of twenty- 
two years, when he began farming for himself. 



~>v 



^^NDREW .L\CKS()N (JALE, a farmer and 
( @/-J I stock-raiser of Superior Townshii) and a 

/// 14 younger brother of him of whom we have 
^/) just written, was born in Schoharie 

County, X. Y., in 182!), and came when but three 
months old with his parents to this county, where 
they made their home in the woods and set to 
work to clear and cultivate their farm. His par- 
ents were natives of .Schoharie County, N. Y"., the 
father having l)een born December 21, 1797, and 
and the mother March 10, 1798. The paternal 
grandfather, Roger Gale, came from England with 
his two brothers, Joseph and .losiah, previous to 
the War of 1812 and those brothers took part in 
the contlict and were never heard of afterward 
and were supposed by their friends to have fallen 
in liattle. Roger Gale's wife, Annie Siierburn, was 
of (Jerman extraction. 

Andrew (iale grew to manhood in this county 
and studied in the common schools which were to 
be found here in his day. He married Miss Martha 
A. Ilaner, daughter of C. .1. Ilaner, and unto them 
have been born five children, three of whom still 
survive, the other two liaving passed away in early 
infancy. Eliza, who w.as born October 10, 1856. 
became the wife of Augustus Clark and has three 
children — Mattie, Ida and Willie. Edward, whose 
birth took place April 4, 1860, took to wife Ida 
Bristol and they have one scm, Harry A. Their 
third child was Justin A., who was born December 
25, 1867, and with his wife, I>illiaii AVard, resides 
with his parents. 

The father of Mrs. Andrew (iale was born May 



490 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



23, 18(»3, in Montgomery County, N. Y., and was 
a son of John llaner, wlio was a soldier in the Rev- 
olutionary War and was kept a prisoner in Canada 
for seven years. The Ilaners are of (German 
extraction. Mrs. Nancy (dove) Hauer, the mother 
of Mrs. (iale, was a daughter of Elijah Gove and 
was born November 12, iy02. Tlie Ilaners came 
to IMichigan in 1847 and here i-eared a large fam- 
il\ of cliildren. 



=^ 



jyt-^ ON. CHESTKK L. YOST is the proprietor of 
iT)!] one of the finest liverj' stables in the State 
/4W^ and also serves in tiie capacity of auction- 
(^) eer. He was, for a term. Mayor of the 
city of Ypsilanti and now enjoys llie record of 
having made one of the best Mayors that ever 
served this municipality. In connection with his 
livery business he deals largely in horses, also in 
wagons and buggies. 

Mr. Yost was l)orii in Waterloo, Seneca t'ounty. 
N. Y'., March 1(1. 1838. Me is the son of William 
Yost, a native of tlie same place, who was born in 
1804. Our subject's paternal grandi)arent.s were 
Ca-sper and R.achel (P>dington) Yost, the former a 
native of Pennsylvania and Ijorn near Harrisburg. 
The latter was born in Hunterdon County, N. J. 
The grandfather was a carpenter and builder and 
an early settler in Seneca County, where lie im- 
proved a farm that was of large projjortions. lie 
spent the latter years of his life in Fayette and 
there died at the age of eighty-one years. His 
father was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and on 
emigrating to America settled in Pennsylvania, 
being one of three brothers to come to this conn- 
try ,one of them settling in N'irginia, and one in New 
York at a place which took his name and w.as 
called Yost Station. 

Our subject's father was reared in New York 
and was a prominent man much interested in mili- 
tary life. He was engaged while in AVaterloo in 
contracting and building and also in the mercan- 
tile Inisiness. In 18.")4 he came to Michigan and 
located in this city, where he resided for one year 



and was Superintendent of the Washtenaw County 
Alms House for twelve years. Then he retired to 
his farm in Pittsfield Township, whicii comprised 
one hundred and twenty acres of well-improved 
land. He resided there until his death which oc- 
curred in 1881, being then seventy-seven years <jf 
age. .\ Democrat in politics, our subject's father 
was connected with the Lutheran Church as an 
official, and was also Sujjerintendent of the Sun- 
day-school. He superintended the building of a 
bridge for the (Government at St. Augustine, Fla. 

Tiie mother of our subject was before her mai-- 
riage Miss Malinda Rathfon, who was born in 
Waterloo, N. Y. She was a daughter of Frederic 
Rathfon, a native of* Pennsylvania though of 
German descent. She died in 1881 at the age of 
seventy-one years. Our subject is one of six 
children, four of whom lived to be grown. They 
are Enoch R,. Chester L. of whom we write, Eleanor 
L., who is now Mrs. Dr. Murdock of this place 
and Eliza L., who is a Mrs. Booth of Ann Arbor. 
Chester Yost was reared and educated at Water- 
loo, pursuing his studies in the Waterloo Academy 
until si.xteen years of age. He wa.s then appren- 
ticed to E. Romig and remained with him until 
past eighteen years of age. In 1855 he came to 
Michigan, having been here once before while still 
a boy of ten years of age. 

Our subject worked at his trade on lirst coming 
here for Isaac Crane and then engaged as a clerk 
in a hardware store with H. G. Sheldon, remaining 
three years in that position. He then started into 
the harness business and later became a dealer in 
horses and carriages. It is said that he has handled 
more horses than any man in the coiuity. During 
the war he was commissioned to jnircha.se horses 
for the calvary and later was drafted into .nctive 
service, but sent a substitute. He continued in 
the harm^ss business until the spring of 1891, en- 
gaging also in the milling business for two or three 
years at Flat Rock, Wayne County. In 1 862-()3 
he ran two mills on the Hui'On. He has also built 
six or seven houses in this city and sold them 
very advantageously. 

In 1881 Mr. Yost started in the livery business 
and has been thus engaged ever since. He keeps 
on hand the finest rios that can be found in any 



PORTUAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



491 



similar establishment, having carriasjes that have 
cost him as much as ^2,800. Me kceijs twenty 
head of horses constantly on liaiid and ships a 
great many horses to Detroit and other cities. As 
before said, Mr. Yost is one of the most popular 
auctioneers in this portion of the country, selling 
stock especially and he has a very large knowledge 
regar<ling them. He owns a large amount of real 
estate and has a very pleasant home in the city. 

Mr. Yost was married to Miss Anna Vreeland, 
who was l>orn in Flat Rock, Wayne County. She 
is a daughter of D. C. Vreeland, who was a farmer 
and miller and also the most prominent merchant 
of Flat Rock, where he was an early settler, coming 
there while the Indians were still in possession of 
the land. His father owned three thousand acres 
of land and valuable mill property. 

From 1884 to 1886 our subject sei'ved a? Mayor 
of Ypsilanti. and being again nominated to the 
position he declined it, thinking that he could not 
give sufficient time to his own linsmess. It w.as 
gratifying to him, however, inasmuch as the nom- 
ination came uu.solicited. Our subject belongs, 
socially, to the Free .and Accepted Masons, and is 
also a Royal Arch Mason and is a member of the 
Royal Arcanum. Mrs. Yost is a prominent worker 
in the Presbyterian Church and is as.sociated in all 
benevolent work which is carried on by the Ladies' 
Society. Mr. Yost is a representative of the Dem- 
ocratic partj', and has been sent as delegate to city, 
county and .State conventions and has frequently 
served as Chairman of city conventions. 



C. (iRlFFKN. Perha])s no member of the 
legal fraternity in Ypsilanti enjoys a more 
extensive practice or is more widely 
known than the gentleman whose name 
introduces these paragraphs. As soon as lie was 
graduated he located here and has built up his large 
practice by steady devotion to duty and the constant 
exercise of energy and judgment. He is a native 
of this State and was born in Augusta, March .'iO, 
1848. His father, Stejilicn W. CriftVn. was born in 



1812, in Seneca County, X. Y., and when a .young 
man emigrated to Augusta in 1843. taking up new 
wood land and working at his trade, which was 
that of a millwright. 

The father cleared a farm and by carefully im- 
proving the land developed it into a fine estate. 
He was married to Miss Kacliael Hammond, in 
Augusta Township, and two children were born of 
this union. (Jf his second marriage four children 
came to the home fireside. His death occurred in 
1868. Our subject is one of the children of the 
first marriage. He has a brother, Andrew W., a 
postal clerk of Omaha, and one of the first who 
went out on the Union Pacific Railroad from there. 
D. C. Grififen received his early education in the 
common schools of the district and afterward 
attended the Michigan State Normal School, from 
which he was graduated in 1875. Having deter- 
mined to enter the legal profession he read law 
with Messrs. .loslyn i\r AVliitman, and later took a 
full course in the law deiiartment of the University 
of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 
1877. 

At once locating in Ypsilanti for the inactice of 
his profession Mr. Griffen was for two years with 
.ludge Babbitt, and since that time has practiced 
alone. For ten years he served as Justice of the 
Peace, but was compelled to resign his position on 
account of the jiressure of his business. His prac- 
tice, which is one of the largest enjoyed by any 
attorney in the city, keeps him busy all day and 
often far into the night. Nor is his reputation 
bounded by the arlritrary limits of the county line, 
for he is known in remote cities and towns, whither 
he is often called. He is sometimes called to De- 
troit to try cases, and among his brethren in the 
leiral fraternity there enjoys an enviable reputa- 
tion. 

Although an active worker for the interests of 
the Repulilican party Mr. Griffen is not an office 
seeker in any sense of the word. He, however, 
consented to serve as City Attorney, and has been 
Chairman of the City Republican Committee. In 
his domestic life he found his greatest pleasure 
until death took from him his wife, who died No- 
vember 8, 1890, .at the age of thirty. Mrs. Griffen 
was born in Wayne County, this State, and was a 



i92 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Normal student in this city. She was known in 
maidenhood as Almina K. Harlow, and was the 
daughter of John P. 15arlow. a farmer of this town- 
ship. The ceremony which united for life Mr. 
(iriffen and Miss Barlow was .solemnized February 
29. 1888. and was one of sjreat happiness. The 
death of Mrs. (iriflfen was sincerely mourned by a 
large circle of accjuaintances. who honored her for 
the womanly gr.ices which adorned her cliaracter. 



V , OHN MICILVKJ. IJKAIN. Among the nat- 
ive sons of the city of Ann Arbor who have 
made their work felt in the upljuilding of 
the township on .agricultural and commer- 
cial lines, we find him whose name we have just 
written, who was born Augu.'st 16, 1843^being the 
third in order of age in his fjither's family. He 
was in his ninth year when the family moved on to 
the farm and about seventeen when he made his 
home on what is now known as the homestead. As 
his father died when he was twenty-three years 
old he remained at home until the year 1875. At 
the time he left there he signed over to the other 
heirs his interest in that property but now has a 
beautiful farm of one hundred and ninety-six acres 
which was long known as the Abram ]Moe farm. 

ITpon the farm just named our subject has lived 
ever since leaving home which is some sixteen years. 
This property Mr. Moe cleared from timber and 
settled upon in 1826. making his home here for a 
full half century. One of his sons, Orville Moe, 
still lives in .Vnn Arbor Imt the father died six 
ago in Adrian. Upon this property Mr. Braun is 
carrvino' on general farming and raises a lai-ge crop 
of grain, having generally from eight hundred to 
one thousand bushels of wheat, lie also devotes 
considerable attention to tine stock, having excel- 
lent specimens of Short-horn cattle and a flock of 
fine wool sheep. 

Caroline U. Kapp was Uic maiden name of the 
lady whom our subject chose as his life partner and 
to whom he was united in marriage on the 
17th of .Xpril. 1879. Iler |i)arent.-' were Christ- 



ian F. and Hegina (Schlichteren) Kapp and she was 
born in Xorthfield Township. September 14. 1852. 
Her brothers. Dr.John Kapp of Ann Arbor and Dr. 
Chri.>*tian F. Kai)]) of Manchester, are well-known 
residents of this part of .Michigan, while her parents 
wiio were pioneers of this township are well re- 
membered and highly honoi'ed l)y all who know 
the liistory of the early days. 

Only one child has been granted to our subject 
and his excellent wife, namely: Athniel John, who 
was l)orn Feltruary 18, 1885. Our subject is a 
n.ember of the fii'st Lutheran Church where he has 
long been an official member, having filled the pos- 
itions of both Trustee and Deacon, and in both 
ca|)acities having shown his trust and interest and 
aliility. He is a Democrat in his political sympa- 
thies liut is a man of liberal views and is one of 
those who can understand and sympathize with 
tiRise who do not agree with him on matters of im- 
portance, (ireat credit is due to this gentleman, 
for his early record as his father's death left great 
responsibilities upon him and the f.ict that his 
mother's family was kept together and was edu- 
cated !ind cared for is largely diie to his efforts and 
discretion. 



Ol'IS Z. FOl^HSTEK. The L. Z. Foerster 
Brewing Company are the proprietors of 

— V the (i rove Brewery located on Grove Street 
in Ypsilanti, and the firm consists of the father L. 
Z. and his three sons. Jacob, Louis and Leopold. 
Aside from their brewery they have bottling works 
where they manufacture and bottle various liquid 
commodities. Their property w.as bought by our 
subject in 1871) from Leo Taufkirk. who had estab- 
lished it in partnership with ^Ir. Trackenbrod 
about the year 186!). 

Mr. Foerster wa- liorn in Wellesly Township, 
"Waterloo County, Canada, October 14. 1836. His 
f!>*her, Ludwig. wa.-> lun-n in Baden. Germany in 
1 80.3, and there learned the trade of a locksmith and 
gunsmith. After his marriage he came to America 
aljout 1835. and k>cated on a farm in Wellesly, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



493 



where he now resides. He is a ineinher of the Lu- 
llieran Church .ind now over eififhty-eiiflit years of 
age. The mother, Marijaret Zigler, was also l)orii 
ill Baden and died al)ont the year IHfiO. Of tlieir 
eleven children ten trrew lo inatiirity and nine are 
now living. 

( )iir subject was reared upon the farm and was 
early put to driving oxen, breaking sod .and culti- 
vating the land. He had but limited school advan- 
tages. At the age of seventeen he was apj)renticed 
to the carpenter's trade and two years later began 
for himself, undertaking contracting and building. 
Upon coming to Yiisilanti in 1870 he bought this 
brewery which was then a small affair and was 
located in a frame building, his partner at first lie- 
ing his brother Adam Foerster, now of Ijaiising. 

Four years later our subject bought his brother 
out and carried on the business alone for one vear 
after which he went into partnershiij with IMr. H(it- 
tinghiius, now of Ann Arbor, under the firm name 
of Foerster ct Hottinghans. Eight years later our 
subject bought out his partner's interest. All three 
of the younger partners of this firm are members 
of the Independent Order of ( )dd Fellows, while 
.Jacob belongs to the Masonic order and all are 
connected with the Lutheran Church. The father 
also belong to these two orders and is a Trustee in 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen and is now 
vice-President of the (ierman Arl)eiter .Society in 
which he has been both President and Seci'etary. 

In July, 1891, Mr. Foerster took his three .sons 
into partnership with him. The brewery is a four 
story building measuring 78x1 15 ""eet and occupy- 
ing four acres. His two engines hiive seventy and 
ftn'ty horse power respectively and he also has an 
ice machine. They make fi'om three to five thous- 
and barrels of malt a year. slii|>ping everywhere 
throughout Michigan. 

The lad}' to whom our suliject was early united 
in marriage in Canada was a Mi.ss Loeffler who was 
born in Pru.ssia, Cermany, but died in Canada leav- 
ing two children, the one who survives being .Jacob 
who is in partnership with his father. Mr. Foer- 
ster's second marriage was also contracted in Can- 
ada with Rozina .Smith who is a native of Province. 
Her six children are Louis, Leopold, Annie, (Mrs. 
A. Schauer of Ypsil.aiiti). .Mbcrt. CImim .miuI Lillie. 



AVhile living in Canada our subject was one of the 
School Board and acted .as Highway Commissioner. 
He is a Democrat and is frequently a delegate to 
county conventions as well as Chairman of ward. 
citv and cnuntv Denincratic committees. 



^^- 



]l^^^ ENRY COE. This ]iromineiit lesident and 
native s<ni of York Township was born on 
section 2, August 24. 1839. His parents, 
Arthur .and Sarah (Redner), were born 
in the East, the f.ather in New York and the mother 
in New .Jersey-. The former came to ^Michigan in 
1836, while it was j-et a Territory, and he was by 
trade a ship-maker, having served seven years as 
an apprentice. When he came to Michigan he 
dropped his trade and engaged in farming and so 
interested did he become in his new home and 
vocation that he gave up for some ten years all 
communication with his old home. 

To Henry C'oe was given an excellent common- 
school education and he was allowed to attend 
school throughout all his youth thus preparing him 
well for all purposes of the business. After com- 
pleting his studies in the district school, he attended 
the Union school at Ypsilanti for two winters. He 
began as a farmer in the township of Hartland, 
Livingston County, .'ind remained there for five 
years after which lie returned home and his father 
divided the estate .so that he received as his share 
one hundred and twenty acres. Upon this he hiis 
made all the improvements such as barns and houses. 

The hapj).y married life of our subject began on 
Christmas Day, 18fil. and his bi-ide has borne the 
maiden name of Martha Stark. She is a daughter 
of Carey Stark, a farmer of this township, and is 
the mother of five children. The three who are 
living are Charles, Arthur C. and .Sadie. Mabel E. 
died in infancy and Freddie was snatched from the 
arms of his parents .at the .age of seven and one- 
half years. Mixed farming and stock-raising have 
ever engaged the energies of ]Mr. Coe and he is 
successful in his enterprises. 

The political attiliatioiis of our subject are with 



494 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



the Demociatic party and altlK)ugli he has never 
sought ollice of any kind, he has been elected Jus- 
tice of the Peace for three years. He was at one 
time a member of tlie Saline Grange, but since it 
went down he has not rejoined. In the Masonic 
order he has held his membership for the last 
twenty-six years. Mva. C'oe is an earnest and de- 
voted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and in its service and work she is trulv useful. 



"(Y^ AM EfS M. FORSYTH. It is with pleasure 
that we recount the experiences of those 
of the citizens of Ypsilanti who came here 
in the early days and underwent hardships 
and privations that they might develop the rich 
resources of this region, and Ijring about the con- 
dition which we see to-day. Among these bravi' 
and hardy men is the one whose name we have 
just given, who is now serving his second term as 
Supervisor of the Second District of Ypsilanti. and 
is also agent for the FoUett House. 

Mr. Forsyth was born in New York. May 12, 
1828, and was brought by his parents to Ypsilanti 
.luly 8, 1829. His father, James Forsyth, was born 
in Scotland, being a native of Edinboro, and was 
there a carpenter. He left his native land at the 
age of seventeen, and having reached ]^ew Yoik 
remained in that vicinity until 1829, when lie 
came to ^lichigan. He traveled by boat to De- 
troit and thence liy team, a three days' jouiney. to 
Ypsilanti, which was then a mere hamlet. He at 
first worked as a carpentei' and builder, and when 
the Michigan Central Hailroad came through he 
built on contract several miles of track, grading 
and constructing it. lie was a Democrat and voted 
with that party except in 1840, when he cast his 
ballot for William Henry Harrison. He lived to 
reach the advanced age of eighty-four years. His 
grandfather, John, was born in Scotland and was 
there a hotel-keeper, and his I'ncle Robert was one 
of the pioneers of Rose Point, N. Y. 

Sallie Murphy was the maiden name of the one 
who became the mother of our suliject. and her 



father, who was a tailor and oame to New Y'ork, 
was driven out of his native Ireland for "wearing 
of the green." The mother was sixty-six years old 
at the time of her death, and he of whom we write 
is the eldest son among her eight children. He 
remembers nothing of his life before coming to 
Ypsilanti. and was educated at the old brick 
schoolhouse. He learned the coopers' trade, and 
at the age of eighteen began work as a journey- 
man for Henjamin FoUett. He received the iqi- 
pointment of Deputy Sheriff of Washtenaw County 
and served for two years, and was offered the 
appointment for the next term but did not accept 
it, but two years latei- he accepted the same posi- 
tion of Mr. M. Webb. He was also City Marshal 
and Constable, and about the year of 1878 he 
resigned liis position as Deputy Sheriff, as he was 
elected Justice of the Peace for the Second Dis- 
trict. Four years later he retired from active 
life fur a few years, working some, however, at his 
old trade. 

Mr. Forsyth's election as Suiiervisor of the Sec- 
ond Disti-ict was granted him in 1890, and he was 
re-elected the following year. In the early days 
he was quite a huntsman, and occasionally killed a 
deer. He shot one in a wheat field which ran away 
and he did not find it till the next day, wlieu^ 
although it was wounded and could not run, it made 
a l)rave fight for its life, but he finished it and car- 
ried home some venison. The Indians were numer- 
ous in those days, and Indian trails were the most 
common roads. 

Mr. Forsyth was married in Ypsilanti. in 1851. 
to Miss Rutli Akin, who was bom in New York, 
but came to this State in 1848. She died in 1882, 
having been the mother of seventeen children, 
only one of whom is now living, the othei-s having 
passed away in infancy. James M. Forsyth was, 
in 1867, elected Alderman of the Fifth Ward for 
two years, and Marshal for three years, and was 
Deputy Sheriff and Constable for two years. His 
son Victor h.as been a cigar manufacturer now for 
some time. 

Our subject has been for a great many years a 
Notary Public, and when Deputy Sheriff was one 
of the Circuit Court otticers. He has had some 
hard cases to arrest, and one time when he was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



495 



seeking some horse thieves be was shot at by mis- 
take by the City Clerk, but was not seriously 
injured. Politically, he is a Democrat with (ireen- 
baek proclivities, and he is frequently a delegate 
to county and State conventions, being also a 
member of the Demc>cralic and (ireenback County 
Committees. 



&HOMA.S GREEN. One of tlie Hnest farms in 
INIancliester Township is owned b\' Thomas 
Green, and located on section (5. Mr. Green 
was born in Yorkshire, England, May 16, 1806. 
His father, Charles Green, grew up in the mother 
country. Coming to America in 1832, he pro- 
ceeded directly to this county, where he purchased 
land on section 5. There was at that time only a 
log house upon the place. This he improved, and 
there lived until 1841. Our subject's mother was 
Elizabetli By water, a native of England, who died 
in Michigan the same year in wliicli her husband 
died. They were the parents of tlirce sons, all of 
whom grew to manhood, alttiougli our subject is 
now the only one living. 

Mr. Green was twenty-four years of .age on com- 
ing to America, and in 1830 he took up a tract of 
one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 
6, ALanchester Township, Washtenaw County. At 
the time of his entering upon the place, not a stick 
of timber had ever been cut, and it was in the 
primev.al state of nature. Cutting the logs, he 
built a frame house, getting the logs sawed at the 
sawmill on the river Raisin. 

The nearest trading point to Mr. Green on first 
coming into the country, was at Detroit, where 
they procured all the provisions that were not 
raised upon the farm. There were plenty of In- 
dians and wild animals, and our subject was the 
first white man to settle in the township of Man- 
chester. He was married to Miss Ann Selfe, a na- 
tive of England, and born in the town of Bradford, 
although reared in London. She came to Michi- 
gan about 183(5. By this marriage our sul)je('l lie- 



came the father of three children, two sons and one 
daughter: Laura A., Edwin T. and Albert G. The 
mother of these children died in 1857. Three yeai-s 
later Mr. Green married Miss Sarah Wass, who was 
born October a, 1822, and came to Michigan in 
1860. Our subject has remained faithful t<i the 
agricultural calling since first coming to this State. 
He has ninety .acres of land located on section o, 
ninety-four acres on section 6, and seventy acres in 
Jackson Ccmnty, most all of which is under culti- 
vation. He directs the work of his farm, and is 
ably seconded in his efforts by his son. The first 
vote cast in this country by our subject, was for 
Jackson. Since that time, however, he has been 
true to the Republican standard. Mr. Green was 
true to the Union cause, although it cost him con- 
siderable at the time, having to ])ay *20(i for war 
indemnification. 



,1?^EV. JAMES \'ENNIN(i is probably the most 
llUff prominent clergyman in the city of Ypsi- 
-4i >V lanti, having charge of the Methodist 
Church in this place. Of English birth 
and parentage, with his early ideas connected with 
the dignity attendant ujHjn the Church of England, 
our subject has naturally developed much of dig- 
nity of manner, and his personal appearance is 
such as to command respect. As a pastor he gets 
very near to his people, and has ever sought to 
develop thehighest type of social life of the church, 
lie has made himself the personal friend of each 
member of his congregation, sympathizing with 
them in trouble and joyful with them in their 
gladness. 

( )iir subject was born in Cornwall, near Lancas- 
ter, April 2;j, 1838, .and remained there until 
twelve years of age, when he came with his parents 
to Canada. He is a son of Andrew ^'enning, also 
a native of England and a farmer by calling. On 
coming to .America in 18,50 he brought with him 
his family, comprising a wife and six children. 
Leaving Plymouth they after a voyage of six weeks 
landed at (^iieliec. 'I'iience they went to Ontario. 



4a 6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



locating at Dorchester where the fatlier eiigaared in 
farming; he died in 1873. 

Our subject's mother wa.s (irior to her marriage 
Miss Mar3- A. Cornish, and was born near Lanoa.s- 
ter Castle. She was a daughter of Samuel Cornish, 
an officer in the English Army, and died in Canada 
in 1889. Of the six children above mentioned our 
subject is the third in order of birth. All the 
family with the exception of him are living in 
Canada. 

James \'enning attended a private school before 
leaving England, and after removing to Canada 
was a pupil at the public .school, and later became 
a student at the A'ictoria Univeisitj'. He did not, 
however, complete his course at the university. 
When about nineteen years of age he attended the 
first Methodist pi-otracted meeting he had ever 
heard of and was the first to go the altar. His 
fathei- soon followed and then his two brothei'S. 
Soon after uniting with the church he was con- 
■ viuced that it was his duty to preach. After 
resisting the call for a time he yielded and was 
made a local preacher. He united with the Detrnit 
Conference in 1864, and was appointed to Marine 
City. Zealous in his work as in his conviction, he 
took hold of the church work with a determined 
and energetic purpose, and spent a remarkably 
.successful three years <m the charge. In 1867 he 
went to Owosso. and his subsequent charges have 
lieen Monroe, where he remained for three years; 
Saginaw City, three years; Bay City, three years; 
Court Street. Flint, three years; I^apeer, three 
years; another three years at Saginaw City; and is 
now conducting a successful pastorate in Ypsilanti. 

Personally our subject has a frank, pleasing 
countenance, and a jiersonal magnetism that draws 
his people to him. His delivery is careful and fin- 
ished, and there is a real depth of thought in the 
sermons which he preaches. It is. however, for 
executive ability and efticieney in pastoral work 
that he has become most widely known. 

A man who is sensitive and has a most subtle 
appreciation of the works of the Divine Creator, 
the Rev. Mr. Venning has a special love for the 
science that treats of Bowers and plants. Botany 
is to him more than a recreation. In it he sees 
lessons that speak in vain to many .Tuotlier. For 



the past dozen years or so he has made careful ex- 
periments with different varieties of pl.ants, and is 
especially interested in the jjropagation of perfect 
floral specimens. He holds an International cer- 
tificate for a hybrid seedling that has reached 
a point of perfection beyond anything hitherto 
raised. He is a well-read botanist, being thor- 
oughly conversant with the writings and theories 
of the ancient, .as well as the modern scientists on 
this subject. He read a paper before the State 
Horticultur.aJ Society, wliich was afterward pub- 
lished .at the request of the leading horticulturists, 
the subject matter being Landscape (iardening. 
or How to Plant a Lawn. 



-^^- 



l^EV. .lABEZ THOMAS SUNDEKLAXD. The 
piif popular pastor of the Unitarian Church. 
y- Y whicli is daily gaining ground among the 
broad-minded people of Ann Arbor, is a 
native of England, having hcen born in Haworth, 
Yorkshire. Feliruarv 11. 1842. He is the youngest 
of five children who were Ijorn to his parents, 
Thomas and Sarah (Broadhead) Sunderland. When 
he was two years old his parents emigrated to the 
United .States, and after landing in Is'ew York they 
soon i)roceeded to Chautauqua County.in that .State, 
where Mr. .Sunderland. Sr.. located on a farm and 
pursued the calling of a farmer until his death, 
which took place when Jabez w.as only seven yean 
of age. The lad's mother was a daughter of 
James Broadhead, of England, and now makes her 
home with our subject in Ann Arbor, being at the 
present time (1891) in her seventy-eighth year. 

.Tabez T. for a time attended the district school in 
the vicinity of his home in Chautauqua County. 
Later he wiis a pupil in Jamestown Academy, after 
which he went to Iowa and resided five years. 
Three yeai-s of that time were passed at the Bin-- 
lington (Iowa) Collegiate Institute. From there he 
went to Madison University at Hamilton, N. Y.. 
where he was a student two 3'ears. He enlisted, 
January 1. 1864, in the Fifth New York Artillery, 
and was on detnclied service at Kiniira until the 









( 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



499 



close of the war. His post was under conimaiul of 
(tCii. Tracy, Seeretarj' of the Navy under President 
Harrison. He was lionorably discharued in 1H6;J. 
In llie autumn of tiie same year lie entered tlie 
riiiveisity of Cliicago, completing his course in 
1H(!7. By tills time having decided to dev()t< liis 
life to the ministry, he became a student ii. the 
Theological .Seminary of Chicago, from which he 
was graduated in 1870, and soon after settled as 
pastor of the Sycamore Street Baptist Church in 
the city of Milwaukee. He continued his pastorate 
there until 1872, when he resigned and accepted 
a call from the I'nitarian Church at Xortlitield. 
.Mass. He remained there until January, ISVG.and 
was then called to take charge of the Fourth I'ni- 
tarian Lhurch at Chicago. In the fall of 1878 lie 
came to Ann Arbor and at once assumed charge of 
the I'nitarian Church in this city, which position 
he has filled successfully from that time to the 
present. Keen in perception, clear and logical in 
his reasoning faculties. Mr. Sunderland possesses 
the esteem of all. 

On December 7, 1871, the Rev. J. T. Sunderland 
was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Reed, of 
Huntsville, III., and daughter of Amasa Reed, a na- 
tive of Massachusetts. She is a graduate f)f .'\It. 
Holyoke Seminary, Mass., and also of the I'nivei- 
sity of Michigan. Prior to her marriage she was the 
Principal of the High School at Aurora, 111., holding 
that position for five years. Our subject and his 
wife are the parents of three children. Gertrude is 
a student in the I'niversity of Michigan and is 
now in the Sophomore class. Edson Reed is a 
senior in the High School at Ann Arbor, while 
Florence likewise attends the High School. 

Since Mr. Sunderland's p.astorate here he has 
not allowed the work of the church to be at a 
standstill, either si)iritually or practically. He has 
erected a new church at the cost of $20,000 and 
this was followed by the building of a fine parson- 
age. He has also established a church library which 
is open at all times to ail members of and attendants 
at the church; it comprises two thousand volumes. 
The i)arsonage was erected at the cost of $5,00(t. 
Mr. Sunderland is the author of several books that 
are well known. In 1886 he started a monthly 
magazine, in Chicasrf). called the VniUirian. which 



has attained the largest circulation of any magazine 
of its kind in the world. About a year ago he 
sold out his ))roprietorship of the magazine to a- 
IU)ston publisher, but is still its etlitor. For a num- 
ber of years past he iias been a liberal contributor of 
articles bearing on the religious trend of the time 
to magazine and religious papers. The pleasant 
home wherein the family of our subject gather to- 
gether is located at Xo. 4 North State Street. 



!^l^ 



K\'. LOlIS P. (;0L1)KICK w.as born of 
Irish [)arents, in Cleveland, Ohio, April 14, 
*-> \V 1859. The old saying, "He who lacks the 
O or Mae, no Irishman is he," is thus tra- 
ditionally accounted for in the reverend gentle- 
man's f.amily history. Our subject states that his 
four great-grand-iincles, who were born in County 
Annjigh. Ireland, were present at the trial of a 
young man, who had been guilty of a petty mis- 
demeanor, and who, after being tried, w.as sen- 
tenced by an unscrupulous Ulster magistrate of 
the Cromwellian type of man to be transported 
from his own ill-fated isle. These four fearless de- 
nouncers of the inhuman despotism holding sway 
in that sad country at the time, broke into the jail 
where the unjustly punished man was secluded 
and made way for his speedy release. As nothing 
less than death would have expiated this wrong- 
doing in the eyes of the law, two of the brothers. 
James and Philip, made their way to Australia on 
board a sailing-vessel, while another, named Pat- 
rick, sailed for the land of the free; and the other, 
named Owen, erasing the JIac from his name, lived 
until he died on the isle where rests in peace the 
ashes of his fathers. This tradition, handed down 
from father to son, explains why there is more of 
the Teutonic rnther than the real Celtic sound to 
the name. 

From Owen w.as descended Philip, the grand, 
father of the Rev. Louis Philip, who was the only 
male child born among a family of eleven. Philip 
w.as married to Miss Xanc.y Fitzsimmons. of \ir- 
yinin. Countv Cavan. Ireland, fiom which union 



500 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



six soiisaiifl two dauo'htors were born, all of whom 
:irc now ik';iil >;i\(.' uiie soil and two dauifliters, re- 
sidiiii; at pivseiit in Cleveland, Ohio. Peter, the 
lather of tlie Rev. Louis P., was tlie ft»urth child 
of his fatlier's faiiiilv and w.as born in the parish of 
Mulluiii;li. lowii of \'irginia. County Cavan, Ire- 
ImuiI. on I'.-ihn Siiiidny. 1!S22. lie w.is married to 
Miss Annie MeXally. a native of Castle Bar. 
County .M.ivo, Ireland, at Cape May, X. .J., in the 
summer of 1845. She was reared in the faith of 
the Church of Kngland, of which she was a mem- 
lier until liei- marriage, when she einliiaced the 
faith of her husband and was joined in wedlock by 
the Rev. Father Waldinm, a missionary clergyman, 
connected at the time with the Philadelphia Dio- 
cese, tiien under the Episcojial jurisdiction of 
Archbishop Kendrick. Father Goldrick states one 
of the happiest reminiscences of his life is, that 
four months prior to his own ordination he had the 
ple.asure to assist this good old missionary at the 
altar while celebrating divine service at St. Agnes' 
Hospital, Baltimore, Md. 

Of the thirteen children, eight sons and five 
daughters, bom to Peter and his wife. Rev. Louis 
P. is the seventh child. Many of the children 
died in infancy, while one son died at the age of 
tweuty-one and two daughters after reaching the 
age of womanhood. Four sons are all that are now 
living — Henry, Peter, Louis and Frank. Mrs. Peter 
Goldrick departed this life July 13, 1882, aged fif- 
ty-four years. Her husband died May 10. 1886. 
aged sixty-four years. His remains were escorted 
to the grave by the members of tlie Centennial Coun- 
cil, i876, of ('leveland, ()hio,of which body he was 
a member, having lieen elected as rejiresentative 
from Ward 5, for the years 1875 and 1876. For 
the last thirty years of his life he was a retail 
coal dealer of the above-mentioned city, and at the 
time of his demise left his family in comfortable 
circumstances. 

Rev. L. P. Goldrick studied in the public and 
parochial schools of his native city and on Sep- 
tember 8, 1875, he entered the College of Our Lady 
of Angels, Suspension Bridge, X. Y. Here he re- 
mained only one year. He next entered his 
father's coal office and sulHciently satisfied his 
desires for mercantile pursuits during the ensuing 



two years. In the fall of 1878 he entered Assump- 
tion College. Sandwich, Ontario, wliere in .June of 
1881 he completed the prescribed classical course. 
For two years he studied philosopliy in the same 
institution, and becoming attiliated to the Detroit 
Diocese, was sent by the late Rt. Rev. C. II. Bor- 
gess, then Bishop of Detroit, to St. Mary's Semi- 
nary. Baltimore, ]\Id., in September, 1883. Here he 
studied theology for three scholastic years and was 
ordained to the priesthood with six other classmates, 
by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Borgess, .lune 16, 1886, at 
Assumption College Church, Sandwich, Ontai'io. 
After a short vacation he was a])pointed assistant 
pastor at St. X'iiicent's ( liiinli. Fourteenth Street. 
Detroit. Tlie spiritual hiliors of this |)aiish, niiiii- 
bering twelve hundred families, were \ciy great, 
and after working constantly and faithfully, he 
contracted a severe cold from being on a sick call 
one night in the December of 1888. This was fast 
nearing pneumonia, when upon the urgent advice 
of his physician, he went to St. Mary's Hospital. 
Detroit, on the evening of .lanuary 14, 1889. 
There he remained two months, leaving the insti- 
tution entirely restored to health and strength, 
owing in a great measure to the kind attention of 
the faithful sisters iu charge. 

On March 28, 1889, he came to Xorthfield .and 
assumed charge of St. Patrick's congregation, by 
order of the Rt. Rev. .John S. Foley. D. D., Bishop 
of Detroit. As a token of the regard in which his 
former parishioners held him, the young priest, be- 
sides being the recipient of both valuable and use- 
ful presents, was presented, on the eve of his de- 
parture from l^etroit, with the handsome pxuse of 
$800. There was a floating debt of §500 against 
the Xorthfield Catholic congregation at the time of 
the arrival of the new incumbent, but this was en- 
tirely wiped out from the proceeds of a picnic, held 
on .Inly 4, the same year, at AVhitmore Lake. On 
.lunc 1. 1890, the pastor, encouraged by the sub- 
sl.antial financial .assistance on tlie part of his gen- 
erous people, undertook the erection of a $5,00(1 
rectory, which now adjoins the church, and which 
stands as an ornament to the neighborhood and an 
evidence of the Christian co-operation which exists 
between pastor and people. 

In 1877 the present beautiful brick church was 



PORPKArr AND r.rOGRAl'IIICAL ALP.UM. 



built, (luring the |)!istor:ilf of \\v\ . .l(iM'|ih \':u\- 
watersi'liuul, now (lew.-ist'd, ;il .m i-nM of >;|I.."i(hi. 
A l:irt;t'. silvei'v-toned hell, llic second l;iii;csl in 
the counl-v, cof^tinii' *(]()(), tlic i-eniTons u;itt of 
Ki'iiKiid Keenan, of Ann Arbor 'rownsliip. was 
solfnmly liU'sscd liy lit. Rev. Bisliop KoU-v. and 
placed in the belfry of this church in the ])resence 
of M laijj-e concoui'se of people. October 22. 18i)(l. 
An indebtedness of 11,000 is .at present, .hin- 
uary I. 1892. !io;ainst the parish. When it is 
reiiieiiil)cred tliat tlie congreg.ation nunilicrs only 
J me hiuidied and ten families, and when the 
many necessary, yet expensive iinprovenienls 
thai have been made around the chnrcli and pas- 
loial lesidence, together with the liberal subscrij)- 
lions collected for the parish Iiuilding fund in a 
comparatively short space of time, are taken into 
consideration, it trul\- indicates a praiseworthy 
spirit among the people. 

Our readers will notice on an accompanying 
page a portrait of Father (ioldrick, by which name 
our subject is familiarly known. A gentleman of 
splendid physique, he also possesses excellent qual- 
ifications as a man of education and refinement, 
lie is highly respected by all cl.asses in general, and 
is evidently deeply interested in the noble work 
in wliicli 111' is cnyau'ed. 






w 



ill OHN R. MOORE is a retired farmer owning 
two hundred acres of land on section .3(5, 
Lyndon TowiKship. He w.as born in Mont- 
gomery county, >«'. Y., !Ma.\ 16, 1821, and 
is ;i sou of .Jasper and Martha ((iritfith) Moore, 
natives of tlie same county in which he wiis born. 
Our subject's father was a farmer and was married 
in Montgomery County. He served as a .soldier 
in the War of 1812. On coming West in 1834 he 
took up some (iovernment land, which was located 
where onr subject's farm now is. The deed w.as 
signed by I'resident Martin V-.m Biiren. This w.as 
tlie home of our subject's parents until their death. 
The father was a .lustice of the Peace for many 
years, and held other township ofHces. lie was a 



sirong Wliiii' in political preference and prejudice, 
r.orn in I TlHi lu' was only fort.\'-seven years old at 
tlie lime of his dejith. lie was a member of long 
Mild good standing of the Methodist K|nscopal 
( luirch. His wife dieil in Shiawassee Countw 
this .State. 

Our subject w.as one of four children born to his 
jiarents, of whom two onl.v .are now living — John 
H. and Oeorge, of Eaton Rapids, this State. His 
paternal grandsire was Amos Moore, a native of 
Saratoga Coiint\ . N. Y.. and a farmer by occupa- 
tion. Coming to Ohio at an early day, he there 
spent the remaindei' of his life. He was a Whig 
and a .soldier in the War <if 1812. On the mater- 
nal side our subject's gr.andparents were Stephen 
and Martin (4ritHth, natives of Syracuse, Is. Y. The 
former was a surveyor by profession and a teacher 
by occupation. They lived and died in the Em- 
pire State, having had a family of four children. 

The original of oiu' sketch received the rudi- 
ments of his education in New York and after 
coming to the West with his parents was his own 
teacher. He was reared a farmer and remained on 
the home place, linally buying out his father's 
interest. Many valuable improvements have been 
made by Mr. Moore since the farm came into his 
possession. He has found the breeding of horses 
and raising of stock to be a most valuable, and 
profitable supplementary occupation to the staple 
one of the production of cereals and vegetables. 

January 28, 1844, Mr. IMoore was married to 
Miss Clarissa Wilsey. of New York. She was a 
daughter of Jacob and Martha VVilsey. Of several 
children born of this union only one is now living 
— Phebe .1., now ^Irs. F. P>. Oeer. who is the 
mother of two children. William and .Sus.an. and 
lives in Otsego County, this State. Mrs. Clarissa 
Moore died September 9, 1865. By a second mar- 
riage our subject became united to Miss Helen 
Nojes, of Macomb County, this State. She was a 
daughter of David and .Martha Noyes. Two chil- 
dren were the outcome of this unicm — Carrie, who 
is now Mrs. Theodore INIohrlok. and Ileibert A. 
Mrs. Helen Moore died in 1890. 

Our suliject is a strong Republican in his polit- 
ical preference. He has been Justice of the Peace 
for sixteen years, and has held v.arioiis other oth'ces 



502 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



in the township. Mr. Moore is looked up to by 
tlie people in the community as being a man of | 
iinquc'ytionable integrity and sense of honor. I 
Coming here when fourteen years of age he has i 
witnessed all the privations and liardships incident I 
to pioneer life, and has been a most enterprising 
iielper in building various institutions. He is a 
kind father and a warm friend. 



1H37 



A.I. WILLIAM C. STEVENS. This 
prominent business man is a Wolverine by 
) birth, having been born in Wayne County, 
in the village of Plymouth, November 14, 
He was the second son in the family of 
William N, Stevens, who was a carpenter and mer- 
chant, and a native of New Jersey. The grand- 
father was also named William Stevens. The 
motlierof Maj. Stevens was .lane Y. Forbes, daugh- 
terof Colin V. (t. Forlies, of New York City. Will- 
iam N. Stevens removed to Wayne County, Mich., 
in 1834 and worked at his trade as a carpenter in 
the village of Plymouth for a time. For many 
years he was Collector and Justice of the Peace. 
In 1847 lie embarked in the mercantile business 
at Whitmore Lake, continuing thus until 1882, 
when he made his home in .Vnn .Vrbor. He is now 
in his seventy-ninth year. His good wife died 
August 8. IMiH ill her seventy-seventh year. 

William ('. Stevens spent his early boyhood in 
his native county attending the district school, 
and at the .age of nine years removed with 
his ]>aients to Whitmore Lake, where he as- 
sisted his fathtr and continued his studies until 
1861. He then joined the ranks of the brave de- 
fenders of our country, enlisting in Company (t, 
Third Michigan Cavalry, under the command of 
Lieut.-Col. R. H. G. Minty. This regiment was 
assigned to the Department of the West and took 
part in the battle of New Madrid, the capture of 
Island No. 10 and the siege of Corinth. On May 
•28. 1862 he was discharged on account of disabil- 
ity and returned to his home. The following Oe- 
tt)ber he commenced to recruit for the Ninth Mich- 



igan Cavalry and w.is made Captain of Company 
C. In the spring of 1863 the regiment was ordered 
to Kentucky, where considerable scouting was done, 
a-s well as aiding in driving out Gen. John Morgan 
from the State. In .Inly, 1863. the regiment was 
incorporated with Gen. Burnside's army and accom- 
panied him to East Tennessee. Our subject with 
others of his company was on duty in various skir- 
mishes and marches through Tennessee and parti- 
cipated in the siege of Knoxville in the winter of 
1863-64. 

In March, 1864 the regiment was ordered back 
to Kentucky to be remounted, as their horses were 
practically used up. Four months later they took 
part in the chase after Morgan in Kentucky and 
Ohio, and assisted_in his capture near Salineville, 
Ohio. Afterward the regiment was ordered to At- 
lanta, Ga.. and took part in the siege of Atlanta, 
thence accompanied Sherman in his march through 
Georgia and the Carolinas. After the surrender 
of Johnston, Maj. Stevens was selected with a por- 
tion of his regiment to do special work in the 
( (lunties of Buncomb, Henderson. Polk and Tr.an- 
sylvania, N. C. to work against guerrillas and pro- 
tect Union men returning home. 

Our subject had been commissioned Major of his 
rgeiment in February, 1864, and he continued to act 
in that capacity until his honorable discharge in 
July, 1865. Het liming to Ann .\rbor he entered 
tlie law department of the I'niversity of Michigan 
and completed his course with the Class of "68. 
He then located at East Taw.as and built up a prac- 
tice, remaining in that place for a period of four- 
teen years. In November, 1882, he decided to make 
his home in Ann Arbor and h.as since resided here. 
He has had large dealings in lands and extensive 
interests in the lumber districts and has placed in- 
vestments in mills and (jtlier property. F^or some 
time he has been associated with W. M. Locke, under 
the firm name of Locke ct Stevens, liandliug lum- 
ber extensively and furnishing stock to the jobbing 
trade. He is one of the stock-holders and directors 
of the F'ariners' and Mechanics' Bank. 

Numerous oflicial positions have been held by 
Maj. Stevens and from the year 1870 he held for a 
decade the ottice of County Treasurer of Iosco 
Count v. wlific lie was then residing. In 1882 he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



503 



was elected Auditor-fJenerul of the State of Micli- 
ipaii and was re-elected to the same office two years 
later. His political views and sympathies hiiiii; 
him into line with the Republican |)arty. in which 
lie is an earnest and judicious leader. 

The happy marriage of Maj. Stevens was solemn- 
ized April 21, 1869 and his bride was Miss l^aura 
C, daughter of Robert and Caroline L. (Bingham) 
Worden of Green Oak, Livingston County. Her 
mother was a sister of ex-Gov. Bingham of Michi- 
gan. In Livingston County she was born and 
reared to a lovely and gracious womanhood, and 
is now the mother of five children, namely: Ada 
L., Bessie B., Colin M., Nelson F. and Russell. Our 
subject is a liberal contributor to church and char- 
itable purposes but is not a member of any denomi- 
nation. His handsome residence at No. 18 North 
Ingalls Street is situated upon a most delightful 
spot, commanding an extensive and charmini, view 
of the surro\inding country. 



m 



iT/ OHN NICOLL is a representative farmer 
and stock-raiser residing on section 3, Au- 
gusta Township. He is a native of Genesee 
County, N.Y., and was born in June, 1852, 
being a son of Thomas and Jane (Cummiugs) Nic- 
oll. His parents were both natives of Scotland 
and emigrated to America early in the '40s. For 
several years thej' resided in New York State 
whence they proceeded to Michigan and settled in 
Washtenaw Country. 

Our subject was an infant when he came to Wash- 
tenaw County. His parents here resided for five 
years, their home being in Ypsilanti C'ity. Thence 
they came to Augusta Township and .settled on the 
farm whereon our subject now lives. Thomas Nic- 
oll, his father, made the first home for the family in 
a log house, but later in life he built the residence 
which our subject now occupies. The elder Mr. 
Nicoll came here a poor man, but through his pru- 
dence, thrift and economy was enabled to am.ass a 
valuable estate. He was the father of two children 



— .lohn and Mary A. — the latter of whom is now 
deceased. He was a progressive man in all his ideas 
and methods. He was a member of the Odd Fellows 
society and a Presbyterian, and died in .July. 1877. 
His wilesurvived him until March. l.s'.Mi. 

Our subject \v:is reared to manhood in Augusta 
Township and in early days helped his father with 
the work of improving and cultivating the place. 
In the district school of the vicinity he imbi- 
bed the old idea of theoretical training, which 
is now being changed and united geneially with 
technical training. Mr. Nicoll has supplemented 
the limited advantages that he enjoyed in youth 
by extended study and reading since reachinsr 
manhood. He cultivates a fine farm of ninety- 
six acres of fertile and valuable land. .Mr. Nicoll 
inherits the industry, thrift and conservatism of 
his Scotch ancestors and his unbending will .and 
depth of purpose show in the thorough cultivation 
and improvement of his place, which is character- 
ized throughout by neatness and scrupulous nice- 
ly. He is a Democrat in politics and adds his 
inrtuence to every cause that needs a helpful im- 
petus and promises to be of benefit to the people at 
large. We take pleasure in presenting this worthy 
gentleman and his family among the many promi- 
nent agriculturists whose biographies are given in 
this work. 



■-^Nf< 



■^r^HOMAS .1. FARRELL was born in Monroe 
//^ County, N. Y., fourteen miles from Roches- 
Vg/ ter, his natal day being November 29, 1 845. 
lie is now a resident in the village of Manchester 
and represents large farming interests in the vi- 
cinity. The paternal .ancestor of our subject was 
Patrick Farrell, a native of Ireland, who came to 
.Vmerica in his twenty-third year. He was a miller 
by trade .and located first in New York, where he 
remained until 1855, when he came to Washte- 
naw C'ounty and settled in Ann Arbor, there stay- 
ing one year, employed in a mill. 

The elder ^Ir. Farrell removed from Ann .Vrbcr 
to Livingston County. Oceola Township, where he 



504 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



purchased a farm wliicli w.i!> partially improved; 
he died upon the i)lacc in 1870. Our s-ubject's 
mother wa# prior to her marriage IMi^!< Rose Raf- 
ferty. a native of Ireland. She still ^survive.'i. at 
tlie age of seven t\-three years. They were mar- 
ried in Ireland and :is ihi' years passed they be- 
came tiie parents of nine children, all of whom 
grew to maturity. 

Our subject is the Hftli child in order ul' hirlh. 
He was about ten years of age on coming to this 
State with his parents, .and ids first school days 
were passed in Ann Arbttr. thougli he finished in 
Livingston County, .ind started fiut for himself 
at the age of fourteen years. At that age he be- 
came employed on the farm of ( ). A. Wait, of 
Freedom Town.ship. this county. He remained 
with him until liis enlistment in tlie late war in 
1864. He was present at the battle of Nasliville, 
at Kingston and others, and after an effective ser- 
vice was honorably disciiai'ged at Louisville. Ky. 
May 26, 186.5. He then returned to Michigan and 
tool\ 11)) his residence with Mr. Wait again, stay- 
ing with him for about two years, during whicli 
time he was engaged for the most ])art in running 
a threshing-machine. 

In 1k7<I Mr. Farrell .started in the livery liusi- 
ness willi his fornu'r enii)loyer and continued to 
riiriy on the business succe.«sfully until 1876, when 
lie .~old out his interest to Jlr. AVail and woit to 
JMiining near Albion. He remained there one 
yeiir. at tlie end of which time he sold out and 
moved back to the village of Manchester, buying 
into the livery business again with Mr. Wait. The 
partnershij) continued for aliout two years, when 
our subject bought out his partner's interest and 
li;is continued to run the business since. For twenty 
ye;irs now he has catered to the wants of the trav- 
eling public, and during that time has had three 
different partners. In ]8«4 iSIr. Farrell bought the 
liotel known as the (ioodyear Ilouse,^ in Manches- 
ler. lie ran it for about a year, filling it with new 
fuiniture and inaugm-ating a thoroughly satis- 
factory management in every respect. He, how- 
ever, gave up the b\isine.-is. rentinu- it to IF. .1. 
Hurtis. of Hillsdale, for four years, .-md in \KH>.) 
lie le;isod it to N. W. Edgar, who i.- tlie present 
l.'indlonl. In 1«'.H our subject truded ills iiotel 



for a farm of two hundred and forty acres, known 
as tlie "Edward Fay Farm." m .laek.son County, 
Norville Township, which he rents for cash. Mr. 
Farrell is still, however, in the livery busines.«, 
which lie has run .since 1870, with the exception 
of a \ ear. 

.\ HepulilicMii in his political i)rcference. !Mr. 
Farrell served as Deputy Sheriff for four years. 
He filled the office of Con.stable for man}* years 
and has been on the A'illage Board for the past 
eight years. Socially he is a Mason, also belongs 
to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and to 
Comstock Post, No. 3.52, O. A. R. He has been 
twice married, his Hr>t union being with Miss 
Lilly Adams in 1S71. One .«on. Clinton A., was 
born of this mai'riage. The second marriage was 
with Emily SjialTord, and they have two daugh- 
ter.s — Lizzie and Mamie. 



-^¥r- 



V. \'0(iEL is the gentleman to whom the 
(Government has entrusted the care of the 
mail departing and arriving for Freedom 
Townshij). He is located in the village of 
Fredonia but his farm is on section 22. ^Ir. A'ogel 
is the son of John Jacob \'ogel, a native of AVur- 
tcinberg, (iermany, and a wagon-maker by trade 
although a farmer b}' calling. Our subject's mothei- 
was Annn JIagdalena (Lacheumeier) Vogel, also a 
native of Wertemberg. Both ])arcnts died in their 
native laud. They had nine children, two of whom 
are now living. 

( )nr subject was born in Wurtembcrg, Oermany, 
Ajiril 12. 1827. He grew to manhood in las native 
land and was thoroughly' educated, not only in his 
native language but in the chissics and also in 
Frcni'h. AVliile still in (iermanyhe learned the 
trade of a blncksmith. serving an apprenticeship of 
two years and p.iying ¥42 and fiu'nishing his own 
clothing, paying for his own w.-ishing and expen.^es 
until he wa.s twenty-one \(':irs of age. when he was 
dnifted into the army. 

Our subject's eldest brother. John \'ogel. w;is 
precei)tor at Wenenden, (iermany, .so he was ex- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



505 



empl from army servicf. AnotluM- brotlior. .Tulrii 
Jacob, was surgeon in tliu (Germany army and diod 
in service. A tliird l)rotlier, .lolin Diedrich. served 
for .six years in the army as a sharpshooter, and at 
the expiration of that time was discharged. Our 
subject when drafted was placed in the First In- 
fantiy and toolc part iu the Revolution of 1H4H. 
The struggle lasted for two years, but our subject's 
military experience continued for six years. 

In 1854 Mr. Vogel came to America and pro- 
ceeded directly to Michigan wiiere his sister, Mrs. 
Mary Strcetor, now deceased, was then living. On 
first coming to this pl.nce oui- subject worked at his 
trade, setting up his forge and anvil in a log shop 
on the farm where he now resides. After a few 
months he went to Chelsea where he was engaged 
at his trade for two j-ears. He then started a shop 
for himself at Lima. Our subject's marriage took 
place in this last-n.imed place in 1857, when he was 
united to Miss Anna Cappler. who was born in 
Wurtemberg, Germany, October Ki. ln;:i7. Shi' 
came to America in the fall nf |,s,")l nnd setllcd iu 
Sylvan Township, later leninxiim with her parents 
to .Sharon Township. 

After marriage our sul)ject and his wife made 
their home in Lima Township for two and a half 
years. In 1859 he purchased five acres of land on 
the farm where he now lives, meantime working at 
his trade. He now owns forty-five acres. His 
residence was built in 1868 at a cost of $2,200 and 
in 1861 he built a brick blacksmith shop and also a 
barn. A cidermill was also erected in 1884;* it is 
a frame structure of substantial m.ake. He also has 
a good frame house upon the place where he carries 
on general farming. In the fall he makes a great 
deal of cider; he also does a great deal of evapor- 
ating of fruit, jn-epai'lng it for market, for which lie 
find.s a ready sale. 

(Jur subject and his wife are the parents of eleven 
children, eight of whom are now living. They are 
Charles William, Frederick .\dolph, ]\Iartin Philip, 
Anna Mary ilagdalena, William Diedrich. Daniel 
.\lbert, Lewis .Jacob and Henry Edward. The 
eldest son married Lizzie buffer and lives in Ann 
Arbor; Fred \. married Ella Soniericks and lives 
in Scio; Martin V. married Mary Winemann and 
lives near Ann Arlmr: William D. married Clara 



Kiibler and lives at Ann Arbor. Mr. Vogel has 
given his children very good educational advan- 
tages and they are intelligent and respected mem- 
lieis of society. Our subject and his wife with 
their family are members of the Evangelical Church. 
Mr. \'ogel has never taken an active interest in 
politics. He is a Democrat and has been School 
Inspector and also Director of the Third District 
for twelve years, Township Clerk for four years, 
Notary Public for three terms, and in 1866 w.as 
appointed Postmaster at Fredonia and served until 
186;>. He was again appointed in 1887, and is still 
the incumbent of that ottice. 



ci^^HOMAS I). KEARNEY. The learned pro- 
i^i) ^^'**'*^'"*' have many disciples who aspire to 
V^^ hoiu)r and dignity in their chosen fields 
and all with greater or less reason to expect their 
cftiiits til be crowned with success. He of whom 
we have the pleasure of attempting a short biogra- 
phical sketch is one of the many to woo the fickle 
goddess of fortune before the bench and bar. Nor 
di es he aspire without cause, for nature has gifted 
him generously with those qualities that make 
themselves felt in the legal profession. He has 
much of the mesmeric power that, in pleading a 
case, can make judge and jury see the case fi'oni 
his own standpoint. 

Mr. Kearney is a product of this State having 
Ijeeii born in Washtenaw County in the town of 
Northfield. December 24, 1862, the place of his 
nativity being his father's farm. He is the eldest 
of three children born to his parents Thomas and 
Catherine (Duffy) Kearney, both of whom are nat- 
ives of Ireliind, coming to the I'nited States when 
young after which they met and married and later 
settled in Northfield Townshi)!. 

Our subject's father still lives un the l;iiiii li<> 
purchased on coming to the county, llcic he 
carries on general farming and has been rairh suc- 
cessful in his calling in life. The mother died in 
March, 18H0. She was a lifelong and devoterl mem- 
ber of the Catholic Church, and a consistent Chris- 



506 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



tiiin. Tliomas Kearney w.is reared on the home 
farm, and the rudiment.'' of his education were 
acquired in tlie district iscliools in tlie vicinit\- of 
liis home. lie afterward l>ecame a student in the 
lligli School of Ann Arbor, and after finishing liis 
course there liecame a teacher devoting: liimself to 
tliat for two years. 

Having conceived tlie idea of becoMiiiii;- a lawyer 
our subject began to bend every effoit in thai 
direction and entered the law departnuMit of liie 
rniversity of Michigan from which be was grad- 
uated in the spring of 1887. After tiiiishing at 
the University Mr. Kearney entered the office of 
lion. Charles II. Whitman and remained with him 
initil 1891 when he ope]ied up his present office at 
the corner of Ann and Maiu .Streets over the gro- 
cery of Edward Duffy. Me here devotes his entire 
time to the practice of his profession and has an 
entrance into all the courts of the State. 

While a resident of Northfield Township .Mr. 
Kearney was elected Superintendent of the Town- 
ship Schools. In 1888 he was elected City Attor- 
ney of Ann Arbor and has filled that position 
acceptably for two terms and was afterward re- 
elected to the same place. Our subject is politic- 
all}- a Democrat and a strong worker in the ranks 
of his party. 



*'• ' ^- 



I'Oli.N IIEINZMANN. From early historical 
days when Northern Italy was the Mecca of 
incrchants and when by intern icine troubles 
and foreign wars were scattered the gold- 
smiths, workers in steel, leather merchants and 
dealers in oriental stuffs to the four wii ds. fier- 
iiiany has been at the head of commential life. No 
otlier M'.crchants show such great energy and such 
foresight as (k) they. Those that have become 
citizens of the ruited States have brought with 
them their strength in this direction and to tliem 
America is indebted in a great degree for lieing so 
widely known as one of the greatest marts of the 
world. 

Allliiiiiiih located in .•in inland town the trade 



of the gentleman whose name is at the head of 
this sketch has gone beyond local limit*, and he 
with his partner, is a large dealer in Hour. 
grain, wool, leather and hides. Their house in 
Ann Arbor is located at No. 9 W. AVashington 
Street, the tirni being known as that of Ileinzmann 
i^' Lauliengayer. Our subject was born in Col- 
nmliiana County, Ohio, September 5, 1847. lie is a 
son of .lacob and Clatherine (Duttenhofer) ileinz- 
mann. both of whom were born in Wittenberg, 
(ierinany. They emigrated to the United States 
in 182(). locating first hi the city of New York, 
thence they removed to Columbiana County, 
( )bio, settling in the town of Columbiana, where 
the father was engaged in the tanning business. 

In 18i)l our subject's parents removed with their 
family to ,Vnn Arbor, where both father and mother 
still reside. Their family comprises six children 
four sons and two daughters. Of these our subject 
is the eldest. His school days were passed in the 
city schools of Ann Arbor, and on leaving these 
excellent educational centers he took a course in 
the business college of this city. He then began 
working in a tannery in partnership with his father, 
under the firm name of J. Ileinzmann it Son. 
They continued in business together from 1860 
until 1888, when our subject's father retired from 
the firm and the works were shut down. Three 
years later he formed a partnership with Jacob 
Laubengayer and for the past seven \'ears this 
gentleman and oiu' subject have handled in a ver\ 
extensive manner the articles above named. 
They have engaged exten.sively in the leather 
business. In 1887 our subject built an elevator on 
the track of the Toledo it Ann Arbor Railroad. 
The capacity of this elevator is ten thousand 
bushels. This firm handles all sorts of grain. 
Their storeroom is 21x80 feet in dimensions and 
three stories in height. Ail of this is used in the 
business. 

Mr. Ileinzmann has been twice married. His 
first union was with Miss liarbara AV^eimer, their 
marriage taking place in 1877. The lady was a 
daughter of Michael Weimer and died in 1881. 
She left one child, a .son, whose name is J. Eugene. 
Four years later, February 5, 1885, he was united 
iiiniarriaue with Helen Weiiuer, a sister of his first 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



sog 



wife. Thi.'^ iininu li.as liocii most liapny. Mrs. 
[Icinzinnun innkiiiij' :\ ])U':is;iiit linmr tin- \wv lius- 
hniid. Polilicaily lie i>t wlioiii wi' write is a lic- 
piililicaii. lie li.a.s served a,s Alderman from the 
Second Ward for four years. Our suliject owns a 
pleasant liome at Xo. '.I W. Wasliini;-ton Street. 



AIT PECK. Among the venerable resi- 
dents of Sharon Township there is not 
one who is more warmly beloved and 
more truly honored by his neighbors than he 
whose name we have just given, and whose por- 
trait we present on the opposite page. His long 
life of industry and usefulness and his record for 
integrity and trnchearted faithfulness in all the re- 
lations of life have given him a hold upon the 
community which all might well desire to share. 

(iideon Peck, the father of our subject, was born 
near Waterbury River, Litchfield County, Conn., 
in 17!i;?, and there carried on farming. He served 
as a soldiei' during the last three years of the 
Revolutionary War, and was stationed at Horse- 
neck Bend. At the close of the war he received 
his pay in Continental money, of which he paid 
out ^800 for a yoke of oxen. His good wife, 
Sybil Bristol, was a daughter of Aaron Bristol, of 
Connecticut, who sold his farm in that State and 
bought one in Vermont. He had two sons who 
fought in the battle of Plattsburg during the War 
of 1812. This daughter was born in 17()7, and 
married Mr. Peck in 1787. 

The first home of the parents of our subject 
was in the township of Cornwell, Litchfield 
Couutty, Conn., from which they moved after a 
few years to the township of Sharon in the same 
county, where Mr. Peck died, March 20. 1X25, leav- 
ing his widow to survive him until .lune 1(1, 1810. 
Of their five sons and tliiee daughters our subject 
is now the only survivor. His early associations 
are tenderly connected with this beloved mother, 
who used to lead liiin by the hand into the groves 
to listen to the pieaehiMs of tlie early Methodist 
(liuiTJi. lie riiiieliibers :ilso M \'isil lo lii> gr;md- 



parents when he was five years old, during which 
visit he distinctly heard tlie firing of cannon at tlie 
battle of Plattsburg. 

Wait Peck w.as born Oetoliei- 12. l.so7. on a 
farm in Sharon. Conn., and this was his home 
until he was sixteen years old when he went away 
to learn the trade of a mason. He served for 
four years at that trade, and then worked for two 
years in New York City, after whiceh he returned 
to the country. In 1831 he came to Michigan by 
way of Eric Canal and the lake, and on the first 
strip of railroad in America, running from Schenec- 
tad^• to Albany, the cars being then drawn by 
ho'rses. During the fall of that year he bought 
one hundred and sixty acres of land from the 
(Government, the patent of which bears the signa- 
natuj-e of Andrew Jackson. Not a stick had been 
cut upon this place, nor any vestige could he 
found of civilization, and although the young 
adventurer heard of two or three settlers in the 
township, he did not see them until after his sec- 
ond coming to Michigan from Connecticut. 

Our subject was united in marriage with Miss 
Harriet Mills, .January 10. 1833, and the same 
year he returned with his wife to Michigan, reach 
ing his unbroken farm by wagon and ox-team 
from Detroit. A neighbor. Col. J. H. Fellows, was 
just rolling up logs for his house, and Mr. Peck 
helping him finish it, then had the privilege of 
living in the primitive home for a short time. 
During that period he engaged men to put up a 
small frame house (the first one in the township) 
with the comfortable though not magnificent di- 
mensions of 18x22 feet. His eldest son, Virgil, 
was the first male white child born in Sharon 
Township. In those days there were plenty of 
Indians about, albeit they were perfectly peaceful 
and friendly, wiiile the wolves, bears and deer 
were equally neighborly, though perhaps not as 
implicitly trusted for friendliness. The land was 
burr oak openings, and Mr. Peck at once set to 
work to clear away tinilier. .Mthougli he came 
here quite empty-handed, he li;id rugged health, 
which in those days might be counted tne greatest 
riches of a fanner. 

Mrs. Peek w:is born in Coiineelieut in 1810, and 
die(| April 2:!. is;, I. of lier seven children four 



510 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



are now liviiiff, naTiicly: \irgi\ R., lioni March 8. 
1834, and married to C'liristina Robison; C. Elea- 
thea, born August 15, 18;56. now the wife of Am- 
brose V. Robiffon. of Ann Arbor: Harriet A., born 
Augu.sl 9, 1842. now Mrs. A. J. Robisou, of Man- 
chester; .Sjbil, born .January 2. 1850. wife of 
Frank (). Boardman. of .Vdrian. who was a soldier 
in the Civil "War, and is now a pensioner of the 
Inited States Government. A jileasant circle of 
grandchildren also gatliers about our subject: 
Clarence Feck is the son of Mrgil, who lives 
at Grass Lake: James and Nettie are tiie chil- 
dren of Eleathea; and Harriet has four children. 

Tlie second marriiige of ]Mr. Peck took place 
October 7. 18;"i{;. and iiis wife lunc the name of 
Mrs. Lucinda North. //«-'• ^\'('llste^. She is a daugh- 
ter of Orange and Diana (Catlin) Webster, of Con- 
necticut, and w.as born February Id. 1819. in that 
St.ate. and there married Daniel IJ. North. She 
came to ^Michigan in 1838. settling in Oakland 
County, and later removed to Freedom Township, 
this county, where her hu.sband died in 1853. Of 
her seven children by that marriage three are 
now living and three of her sons were in the Civil 
War. 

The war record of Mrs. Peck's s<ms is of inter- 
est. Granville F. ]\'orth. of t)wosso, passed 
through his period of service with the loss of two 
fingers, both on the same hand, although lost in 
different engagements: at Fiedericksburg he re- 
ceived a severe wound in tlie hips. Arthur il. 
North was also ciippled by the loss of a finger 
and James M. North, who is now deceased. escaped 
witliout a scar, but suffered the loss of his health. 
Miss Helen North, the surviving daughter, is now 
the wife of (icorge Smalley. and lives in .Jackson 
County. The father of Jlrs. Peck was a farmer 
and a soldier in tlie War of 1K12. and liefore com- 
ing to Jlichigan in l^.ST. when lie settled at (irove- 
land. he had lived for .■iwliile in Ulster County, 
N. Y. He and his good wife were the parents of 
ten children, three of wiioiii are now living. They 
lioth died in New York. 

15v the present marriage Mr. and Mrs. Peck are 
the parents of one eiiild — Flora May. born No- 
vember 4. 18(io. now llie wife of AVallace B. North, 
of Kalamazoo, and the niother of three children. 



The Methodist Epi-scopal Church is the religious 
body with which ]Mr. and Mrs. Peck are closely 
identified. He has lieen a Class-Leader for forty 
years, and ever active in church work, lieing 
Sunday-school Superintendent for several years, 
but he now feels that advancing years preclude 
him from this privilege. He has always taken a 
lively interest in politics, and has ever been on the 
side of liberty and temperance. His political 
atiiliations were fii'St with the AVhig party, and 
later with the Republican party, and for some 
time he filled the office of Overseer of Highw.ays. 
He is now eighty- foui- years of age, and has lived 
uiK>n this fai'in for fifty-eight years past, and it is 
universally conceded that he lia> not an eiieiiiy in 
the world. 



•^■v"^" 



1UVIN(; YEClvLF.V. the former popular 
,^/fl and efficient Supervisor of Ypsilanti Town- 



Vy \^ ship, Washtenaw County, is a native of 
Ontario County, N. Y., and was born May 5, 1833. 
He is a son of Adam and Gertrude (Snyder) 
Yeckle}-, the father being- of New York and the 
mother of New Jersey birth, and the ancestry on 
both sides being Gcrm.an. 

This gentleman, who is the second son in his 
father's family, was seventeen years old when he 
migrated to Michigan and came to Washtenaw 
County in 1850. His education was acquired in 
the coininon and select schools of his native county 
and w.-is thorough and systematic, giving him an 
excellent grounding for life's work and knowledge. 
At the age of fourteen he began learning the har- 
ness-maker's trade and for two years served an 
apprenticeship, and afterward followed the trade 
in Michigan until 1865. 

In February. 1873. our subject contracted a 
matrimonial alliance with ISIrs. Nancy E. Gilbert, 
a daughter of John White, a Scotchman by birth. 
By this union there arc three cliildren. namely: 
Adam L.. Irvena 'SI. and Mary M. !t was .about 
the vear 1851 when Adam Yeckley settled on the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



511 



f. 11111 where lie now lives and Irving Yeeklcr has 
made his home liere permanently since 1863. His 
wife, who has been a faithful helpmate and coun- 
selor departed this life 'Shiy 25, 1H9(I, leaving- he- 
liiiid her many friends to mourn her irreparahle loss. 

Mr. Yeekley is a stanch Republican in his polit- 
ical views, and he has served fourteen years as 
Supervisor with decided benefit to the township. 
His services as .Justice of the Peace have extended 
over a quarter of a century. On two occasions he 
received the nomination ff)r Sheriff on the Repub- 
lican ticket, but was defeated because Washtenaw 
t'ounty is solidly Democratic in jiolitics. His fine 
farm has been brought to its present prosperous 
and prolific condition liy his own hand, and his 
lirosperity is unfloubtedly due to his own enter- 
prise and industry. 

He of whom we write is identified with the An- 
cient Free and Accepted Masons at Ypsilaiiti and 
also with the Royal Arcanum. He takes an active 
interest in local and county politics and is well- 
known in his township and county, and although 
not a church member he contributes liberally to- 
ward the cause of religion. He is a man of marked 
intelligence and broad information on political 
and other leading topics of the day, and his integ- 
rity and reliability give him the confidence of the 
community. 



^♦f^>|<^§- 



JOHN (1. IIUEHL is a farmer residing on sec- 
tion 17, Freedom Township. His father 
wiis .John Huelil, a native of Prussia, where 
^^^^ he was born in 1813, and was there employed 
as a farmer. Our subject's mother wjis Adelaide 
( Dresselhaus) Huehl, a native of Prussia and born 
in 1803. They were married in the old country 
and emigrating to America in 1837, proceeded at 
once to ilieliigan and remained in Freedom Town- 
ship for a short time. Thence they went to Lima 
Township, where, however, they remained but a 
short time and finally located permanently upon 
section 17. in Freedom Township. 

At the time our subject's ]>aients came to this 



locality there were no improvements upon the 
pl.ace upon which they located, it being entirely tim- 
ber land. .lohn Huehl. Sr. was a poor man who 
lacked even the means to pay his passage .across 
the ocean. On reaching this place, however, he at 
once liegau making a home for the future, first 
erecting a big house and then began to clear 
the land; he afterward bought forty acres on 
section 1(). which he improved and sold, later 
buying land that adjoined his farm. The first 
barn, in which he stored the products of his 
farm and housed his animals, w.as of logs and later 
he erected the present frame barn and also remod- 
eled the old log house. He cleared off the thirty 
.acres of land on this farm, prior to his death, which 
occurred in 1882. His wife died in 18(;i. They 
were theparentsof fouichildivn.of whoiii our sub- 
ject is the only survivor. 

In an early day Mr. Huehl, Sr. with a few 
others made a trip from here to Chicago, 111. on 
foot, the journey taking seven days. They went 
to look for work and at nights slept in field;* and 
barns. They worked on the canal in the West- 
ern metropolis and received %1 per day for their 
labor, the cost of the entire trip being to them 
fifty cents. The first few ^'ears here were years of 
hard struggle and Mr. Huehl was a hard-working 
man. He not infrequently walked into Ann Ar- 
bor to sell butter, eggs, etc 

•John (r. Huehl was born .lanuary 12, ls;57. in 
Prussia and was an infant when brought by his 
parents to Michigan. In his lioyliood he attended 
school in this district. He was reared on a farm 
and remained at home until the death of his father. 
In 1856 he was married to Adelaide Schlicht, a na- 
tive of Prussia, who w.as born in 1836, and came to 
America in 1855. Our subject and his wife are the 
parents of six children, as follows: .lohn Henry, 
Lydia, Mary Ann, Bernhard, .John F. and Clara. 
Lydia is the wife of Henry ^'eogeding and lives in 
Freedom Townshij). Mr. Huehl is the owner of 
one hundrd and ninety-five acres of land and has 
one hundred and fifteen .acres under the plow. He 
here carries on general farming and has a tine lot 
of graded stock. 

Mr. Huehl. with his family. Is ;i nieiiibcr of the 
Evangelical Association of Freedom. He is an ex- 



512 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



horter in the !*aiiu'. also a Trustee, being very active 
in tlie Sunday-sciiool in wliicli lie in-esides over 
a Bilile class. lie lias lieen for siinu' time Superin- 
tendent of the Sunday-seliool. lie has been a 
nienilier of the Seliool Board from district No. 2. Fn 
politics lie is au ardent Republican, dating his ad- 
herence to the party since the beginning of Abra- 
ham Lincoln's second term of oftice. 



-^^- 



/p^KOROE C. S^riTIIE. The energy and per- 
111 —-, severance of a man's character have no- 
y^J^ •where a better field for manifestation than 
ill journalism, and from a small beginning often 
grows a paper of importance. Tlie Ypsilantian, a 
seven-column quarto paper, was established in 
1880 by M. T. Woodruff, and was purchased by our 
subject in 1885, who two years later formed a 
partnership with William M. Osband. 

Soon after taking charge of the pajier. Mi-. 
Smitlie was able to increase the capacity of his 
ofiice and improve his paper, and each year found 
him one rung higher on the ladder of success. He 
now has a pleasant oftice, fitted out with fine 
|)resses and gas engine and with splendid facilities 
for job i)rinting. The Ypsiktntian en joys, a wide 
circulation, looking after the interests of the peo- 
ple as only a live paper can. Mr. Smitlie is deeply 
interested in his chosen avocation, and manifests 
great energy in candying on the paper so as to se- 
cure the greatest influence and best represent the 
citizens. Being the only Republican paper in the 
city, it is the organ of that party and not only is 
influential among those whose political opinions 
are identical with its own, but alsf) commands the 
respect of political opi)onents. 

A native of Onondaga C'ouuty, iS. Y.. Mr. Sinithe 
w.as born .luly 28, 1838. and is the. son of L. P. and 
Clarissa (Horton) Smitlie, the former being a 
farmer who resided in that State until his death. 
Our subject received his education in the [niblic 
schools of the Empire State and at an early age 
went into the printing office of the Cazenovia 
Rpintblk-an. where he learned the iirinter's trade 



and became familiar with the mechanical part of 
the business. At the age of twenty years he came 
.Michigan, locating first in C'oldwater and going 
thence to Y|)>ilaiiti. where lie worked at his trade. 
When tlie war broke out he was in Detroit on the 
staff of the Free Press, but fired with patriotic de- 
votion he enlisted in the defense of his country in 
May, 18(51. 

Company II, Tliirt^'-tifth New York Infantry, to 
which Mr. Smitlie belonged, was incorporated in 
the Arin^' of the Potomac. Our subject was with 
his regiment in various engagements in which it 
participated, and near the close of his term was 
promoted from the ranks to be Regimental Commis- 
sary. Returning to Detroit after being mustered 
out he resumed his occupaticni as a printer, and 
soon received an editorial aiipointment on the 
ITtica Telegraph, afteward on the Syracuse Journal. 
From there he went to Cambridge, III., and en- 
gaged as publisher, at which place he remained 
until 1884, when he was appointed to the editorial 
management of the Davenport Gazette. As above 
mentioned he came to Ypsilanti in 1885, and has 
since been closely connected with the progress of 
this county. 

Soon after locating in Ypsilanti Mr. Smitlie was 
bereaved by the death of his wife, formerly Miss 
.lo.seiihine C. Combs, of Cazenovia, N. Y. The 
daughter born of this union, Clara Louise, is now 
a teacher in Oberlin College. On May 1, 1890, 
5Ir. Smitlie was united in marriage with Miss Stella 
Wyatt, of Y^i)silanti. Both Mr. and Mr. Sinithe 
hold membershii) in the Congregational Church. 



' .'ni'i.' d] 



eAPT. ALFRED A. VAN CLEVE. Among 
the many prominent Eastern families who, 
^ an early day migrated Westward with a 
view to bettering their fortunes, was the A'an 
Cleve family, an honored representative of whom 
is the subject of this sketch now residing in Y'psi- 
lanti. John W. Van Cleve, his father, was born in 
Princeton, N. J., he for a time being a leading 
merchant in New York City, but removed to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



513 



Mielii<?an in 1836, first locating in Flat RotK, 
wliere he remained for one .year, whence, in 
1838, he came to Ypsilanti. Here he entered 
largely in the mercantile business, being one of 
the first merchants of this place, at the same time 
conducting a Hourmill and having charge of the 
well-known Huron Mills. There was no liound to 
his enterprise for at this time he was also running 
a farm of several hundred acres adjacent to Ypsi- 
lanti. He devoted much of his time to the raising 
of tine stock and was the original introducer of 
Durham stock in this part of the country. He 
also dealt quite extensively in sheep. In 1857 he 
and Cornelius Cornwell built the first paper mill 
in Ypsilanli, which was situated where the water 
works now stand. He conducted this paper mill 
until 18G4 when he sold out to his partner, Mr. 
Cornwell. He soon gave up merchandising, de- 
voting his time to his many other interests. One 
of the additions to Ypsilanti was laid out by him 
and he was largely identified with the interests of 
this enterprising city, where he died in 1881, at 
the age of sixty-nine years, his death being regret- 
ted by all. He was a member of the Episcopal 
C'luneh in which he lield the office of Vestryman. 
In politics he was first a Whig and afterward a Re- 
publican. 

The grandfather of our subject. Dr. .Tohn ^^■nl 
C'leve, was born in the East and for some time was 
a prominent physician and surgeon at Princeton, 
X. .1. He traced his ancestry back to Holland. 
The mother of liim of whom we write bore the 
name in her maiden days of .luba A. Hunter, and 
was liorn in New York City. She was the grand- 
daughter of William Hunter, win) was born in 
Alexandria, Va., afterward locating in New York 
City. His trade was that of a baker for ship sup- 
plies. He was a noble patriot, serving in the War 
of 1812 against the mother country. He served 
in that war as Colonel of the Thirteenth New 
York Regiment. His parents originally came 
from Scotland. Mrs. .lulia \'an Cleve died in the 
year 1879. 

The parents of our suliject had born inito them 
seven children who are named as follows: Will- 
iam H., who died in 1880, at Ypsilanti, and was 
Secretary of the Peninsula Pai)er Company; ^lary 



L.. now Mrs. Parrott of Dayton, Ohio; Alfred A., 
Jolui W., the present Secretary of the Paper Com- 
pany; Julia, who is now Mrs. McKnistry of Y'psi- 
lanti; Charles E. resides in Chicago and is in busi- 
ness there; and Frank H., who I'esides in Escanaba, 
wliere he is the land agent for the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad. Tiie youngest, J. W.,was 
in tiie United States Navy and later became pay- 
master on the JIissis>ippi S(|U!idion on the "Aven- 
ger." 

Our subject was born .hmuary 7, 1840, at Ypsi- 
lanti. He had the l)est educational advantages of 
Ihe day. attending the seminary and the Normal 
School, vuitil he was seventeen years of age, when 
iic went into the mill with his father, where he re- 
mained until 1862, when he enlisted in Company 
H. Twentieth Michigan Infantry. Me was mus- 
tered in at Jackson as Second Lieutenant and 
served liis company in the battles of Fredericks- 
burg, Mckslnng, Jackson. (Miss.), the Wilderness, 
Spottsylvania, North Ann, Cold Harbor, and was 
also present and fought at the siege of Petersburg. 
In December, 1862, our subject was promoted to a 
First I.,ieulenancy, receiving a further promotion 
as Captain in November, 1863, which rank he held 
till February, 1865, when he resigned. 

After the return of Capt. Van Cleve to the life 
a civilian, he entered the wholesale paper ware- 
hou.se of W. H. Van Cleve A' Co., of Detroit, as one 
of the firm, selling out his interests there in 1867, 
when he returned to Ypsilanti, working once more 
in connection with his fatlur in the mill. There 
he remained foi- eiglit years and in 1H75 entered 
the office of the (ieneral Passenger Department of 
the Micliigan Central Railroad atC'hicago. This po- 
sition he held for twelve years and again returned 
here in 1887. Capt. Van C'leve was married in 
Buffalo to Miss Kate Stevenson, who was born and 
reared in Buffalo. They have Keen blessed with 
five children, two of whom are living, Kate and 
.lulia A. Capt. Van Cleve is a Knight Templar, 
and is a member of the Eiiiscopal Church in 
which he is a \'estryman. In politic? lie is a Dem- 
oerat. 

Capt. ^'an Cleve is still with the Peninsula Paper 
Comp.any. which w.as incorporated in 1867, with a 
capital slock of >!.')0.(l(i{l. The first paper manu- 



514 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



factured from this plant was September 1.1868. 
Lambeit A. Brown, the first President and J. W. 
Van Cleve. tlie .Secretary, held these offices until 
about tlie time of their death. The stock of the 
company was afterward increased to ^100,000. 
Tiie soutli mill was built in 1867 and the north 
mill in 1873. Tiiese mills are located on the East 
side of the Huron River on the corporation line, 
the propel t\- incuding about twentj' acres of land. 
The Peninsula Mill does a very extensive business 
having a capacity- of some nine tons a day. It is 
invested witli all the mt)dcrn improvements and is 
llie second largest mill in tlie State. The company 
em|)loy about one hundred hands in all and keep 
the mills running night and day with steam and 
wMtcr p(i\v(>i'. They turn out a very fine qu.ality 
of i)a|)er. wiiite and colored, also a medium grade. 
The mill property including store houses, is located 
on the main line of the Michigan Centr.al Railroad, 
with side tracks three quarters of a mile from the 
station. The present official board of the Penins- 
ula I'.aper Company is the President and Treasurer, 
1). L. (^uirk: Nice-President. Philo Kerriii. and the 
Secietaiv. .1. \V. \an Cleve. .Ir. 



m 



y/ AMES p. \V()( )D, of the Hrm of Wood A: 
Babcock, is one of the most enterprising 
merchants in Chelsea. His house deals in 
wheat, oats, corn, wool and all kinds of pro- 
duce. He is a native "Michigander" .and was born 
in Livingston County in 1836. His parents, Ira 
and Jane (Pullen) Wood, natives of Ontario 
County, X. Y. and of Elaine, respectively-, came to 
Michigan in the early Territorial davs. 

The f.ather came here in 1823, just after reaching 
his majority and was married three years later, the 
lady whom he made his wife having come here the 
year previous to his migration. He first worked 
for Capt. Ward of Detroit and afterward settled 
on a farm of three hundred and twenty acres on 
the nortli side of the river near Dixboro in tlii> 



county, and he attended the first Fourth of July 
celebration which was had in this county in 1824. 

The marriage of this couple took place in Ann 
Arbor and they remained on their farm until 1836, 
and then sold and took up six hundred and forty 
acres of land, which they took from the (iovern 
ment, near .Stockbridge in Ingham County. Tlieie 
the father lived until 1853 when he sold the farm 
and moved into the village of Stockliridge. In 
1870 he came to make his hcmie with our subject, 
as he had been bereaved of his wife in 1847 and 
here he lived a retired life until his death in 1883 
being then eighty-one years of age. He was a man 
of prominence and w.as known far and wide. lia\ - 
ing held every office e.\cei>t Supervisor in the gift 
of the township. In his early life he was a Whig 
and later a Republican and both he and his good 
wife were earnest and consistcnl meiiilifi> of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

The paternal grandfather of our siiliject was 
James Wood and his good wife was Clarissa Ilurd. 
Both of them were natives of New York and fol- 
lowed farming. They came to Michigan in 1829 
and settled in Lima Township, this county, where 
they engaged in farming and in the later years of 
their life made their home with the .son, Ira. They 
brought up their eleven children in the Christian 
faith and practice, and were both meml)ers of the 
Jlethodist Episcopal Church. Two of that large 
number are now living. Alniira (Mrs. Kale) and 
Claris.sa (Mrs. Manly). He was a soldier in the 
War of 1812 and his father fought through seven 
years of the Revolutionary struggle. This record 
of patriotism and military achievement does not 
stop here as Ira Wood was in the regiment which 
went from Washtenaw County to take jiart in the 
Toledo War and his son. our subject, fought in the 
Civil War. On the paternal side the family is of 
English lineage and on the mother's side from 
Scotland. 

James and Jane (Harvey) Pullen, the maternal 
grandparents of our subject, were natives of Maine 
who came to Michigan in 182i» and settled in Liv- 
ingston County. Mr. Pullen was a farmer and fol- 
lowed that avocation through life, .spending his 
last days at Pinckney, while his wife died at Fow- 
leiville. Four of their seven childien are now liv- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



515 



ing: Levi, aged eighty- three years living at Fow- 
lerville; Julia, now Mrs. Brooks of Albion, aged 
seventy-seven; Sarah A., Mrs. C'ogshell, sixty-seven 
years old and James now Hfty-eight, living in 
Montana. Tlie fatlier was a Wliig in liis i)olitic-al 
views and a soldier in tlie War of 1812. His de- 
scent is from Scottish stocic and his religions helief 
with that of his wife was in sympathy with the 
Methodist P^piscopal ('lunch. 

A common-seliool education and farm training 
were the portion of this youtli until lie readied the 
age of sixteen, after which he came to Chelsea in 
1S52 and here learned w.agoii making, serving :iii 
.apprenticeship of five years. At the age of twcii- 
ly-two he purchased an interest in the shop ulicrc 
he had worked and there remained until 1862 when 
he enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Michigan Infan- 
try as a musician and later on had the position of 
second leader, continuing in the service for about 
three years. About eighteen months after the 
formation of this regiment it was disbanded and 
the musicians were merged into the Iron Brigade 
band. 

After the expiration of his term of service Mr. 
Wood returned to Chelsea where he carried on his 
trade for three years in connection with his brother, 
Henry L., and then for fifteen years was engaged 
in the mercantile business since which time he has 
been in the line of business in which we now find 
him. His brothers and sisters were Louisa, Marcia, 
Mary L. (Mrs. Bell) Henry L. and Harvey. All 
except Mary and Henry have passed to the better 
world. 

The marriage of our subject in 185H brought to 
his lumie a true helpmate in the person of Sarah A. 
daughter of Alva and Phcebe A. (Streeter) Freer. 
A more extended account of Mrs. AVood's family 
will be found under the name of her father else- 
where in this Ai.in'M. Our subject has had a fam- 
ily of three sons, two of whom died in infancj', and 
.James F. passed away at the age of eighteen, thus 
leaving them childless with the excejition of 
their adopted daughter^ — May E. The political 
principles of Mr. Wood are in accordance with the 
declarations of the Prohibition party. He has been 
President of the village and a member of the Coun- 
cil and for fifteen years served on the School Board. 



He lias a store building in the village and a fine 
home on Harrison Street, besides his own place of 
business near the tracks of the Michigan Central 
Railroad. He attends the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and in every capacity is considered one of 
the prominent and inlhicntial citizens of Chelsea. 




//y^ ICHAEI> SEKHY. Ho whose name 

given 'ibox'c li<ilil> thi' iinpiir1,-iut pusilion 
as liegistrar of Deeds of WashteMaw 
County, lie w;is born in Kiiirush. County 
of West Meatli, Ireland, ( k'tolier III, lK;iO, and is 
the son of William and .Vnn (Ciosby) Seery. who 
emigrated to the I'liited .States in June, 1847. 
They landed at New York City and thence came 
direct to Washtenaw County, locating on a farm 
in Dexter Township, where the father devoted 
himself to the business of general agriculture. His 
decease occurred in 1856. His wife survived him 
for a number of years and passed away in 1876. 

Our subject was one of eight children and the 
second in order of birth. He was reared for the 
most part in Washtenaw County, where he pur- 
sued his rudimentary stu<lies. He afterward was a 
student at Notre Dame, Ind,, and remained there 
lor two years, after which he returned to the farm 
and carried on the business of the home place, also 
during several winters taught school. He went to 
Iowa in 1858 and taught school at Iowa City one 
year. Then went to Paincoui'tville, La., wliere he 
taught two years, then returned North. 

Subsequent to his agricultural experience Mr. 
Seery embarked in the mercantile business in the 
village of Dexter and continued in that until 1878, 
when he entered the political field, p.aying partic- 
ular attention to local and county matters. In 
1888 he was nominated on the Democratic ticket 
as candidate for Registrar of Deeds and was elected 
l>y a handsome majority. So well did he perform 
the duties incident to this position and .so pleas- 
antly did he commend himself to those who had 
transfers of real estate to make in which his ser- 
vices were called u])on, that when, in 1890, he 



516 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL ALBUM. 



again became a nominee for tlie office be received 
a most complimentary vote and is now serving his 
second term. 

Mr. Seery is a firm Ijeliever in the advantages of 
tlie platform held by the Democi-atic party. He has 
always been a stanch Democrat, casting the weight 
of liis influence and vote most unreservedly with 
that party. Mr. Seery lias a very pleasant . home 
located on N. .State Street. His surroundings are 
agreeable and liis home life that of a man who ap- 
preciates the good things of this world. He was 
married in October, 1857, to Miss Rose Ann Lavey, 
daughter of Patrick Lavev. They have had born 
to them three children, viz: Mary C, wife of M. 
J. C'avanaugh; Alfred W., and Rose A., who are at 
liome. Mr. Seery and family are members of tlie 
Catholic Church. 



I LBERT R. GRAVES. The gentleman whose 
name is above i.s the popular and efficient 
Supervisor of Ypsilanti and one of the 
(^ representative men of Washtenaw County. 

He resides on a fine tract of land on section 28, of 
this township. He is a native of Michigan and of 
the county in which he now resides, being here born 
February 28, 1840. He is a son of Lyman and 
Olive ((iorton) Graves. His father was a native of 
Massachusetts and his mother of New York State. 
His paternal grandsire, Selah Graves, held a posi- 
tion as fifer in the musical corps in the Revolution- 
ary War. 

Lyman Graves, the father of our suliject, settled 
on section 28, Ypsilanti Townshi)), this county, in 
1825, and was one of tlie first to here make a set' 
tlement and indeed one of the earliest jiioneers to 
come to this State. He secured land from the 
(iovernment and settled in the midst of his tract 
in the forest, his first dwelling being a log cabin. 
Like all pioneers lie became inured to a hard life, 
one which the young men of to-day would not 
think it possible to endure, but his interest in af- 
fairs was as keen a.s though he had more time to 
consider them. He was a Republican in jjolitics 



and in early days a Whig. Before his decease. 
wlii(_-li occurred several years ago, he had greatly 
improved his farm. His wife survived him some 
time. The^' were the parents of a number of chil- 
dren of whom the following still survive: .lohii. 
Frederick A., Eleanora M. and Albert R. The eldest 
is an attorney and is now the Deputy Clerk of the 
United States Circuit and District Court of Michi- 
gan and resides at Detroit. Frederick A. lives in 
thi< county; Eleanora M. is the wife of the Rev. 
() .1. Perrin, of the Methodist Episcopal Clnirch. at 
Tecumseh, this State. 

Our subject spent his boyhood days like tlii' son.- 
of other pioneers who settled here in the earh his- 
tory of the country. Educational advantages 
were necessarily few and crude. Society was 
almost an unknown quantity, and he of whom we 
write communed with nature more than with his 
own kind. His physical strength was early taxed 
by the severest labor and his ax early rang out in 
the frosty air as his tender muscles would allow. 
He was reared a farmer and has been true to his 
calling all his life. The changes in agricultural 
methods have been kept up with and are interest- 
ing .as showing the advance i u the calling as a 
science. After our subject had finished his counso 
at the district school he attended the High School 
at Ypsilanti for two and a half years and sub.se- 
<iuently the Normal Scliool in that pLice for two 
years. 

The original of our sketch had devoted himself 
from the first to general farming and is an exten- 
sive stock-raiser. He ha.* a special cause to be 
proud of his fine grade of Durham cattle .and he 
also raises fine Poland-China hogs. Decemlier 2.3. 
1863. our subject was married to Miss Phebe M. 
Cimistock, who w!is born August 24. 1842, in this 
< ounty. She is a daughter of Nathan and lA'dia 
Comstock. early settlers in this countx'. Mr. 
Graves is a man of importance and of affairs. He 
served for four years as Clerk of Ypsilanti Town- 
.ship and for eleven years continuously as Super- 
visor of the same township, discharging the duties 
if both offices with great credit to him.self and to 
he judgment of his constituents who had so placed 
him. He takes an active interest in local and 
county ixilitics and is now serving asChaii'nian of 







4^^ ^%X^<2> 




04n 



i'-z^co 



'ijUyn. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



52i 



the Ypsilanti Townsliip Republican Committee, 
having been elected to that position in the spring 
of 1891, for a term of one year. He is the owner 
of eighty acres of land which bears the best im- 
provements. He and his wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Clmrch at Ypsilanti, and for 
the past three years he has served as Sunday-school 
Superintendent. Of a progressive temptu'ament 
and a loyal nature, everything that promises to be 
to the advantage of the public, finds favor in his 
eyes. Both he and his wife are active meml)ers in 
the social life of the community. The parents of 
i\Irs. Ciraves were pioneers in this county and the 
wife of our subject is one of a large family of chil- 
dren of whom the following still survive: Edgar M., 
Mrs. Graves, Rosetta, Ella E. and Charles F. Rosetta 
is the wife of George A. Hempstreet; Ella E. is the 
wife of Frank Derbyshire. Mrs. Graves is a mem- 
ber of the P^ijworth League of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. Both our subject and his wife are 
connected with the Ypsilanti Grange and the 
former has served for several _vears as Chaplain in 
the Grange, liaving filled the office for two years of 
Master. 

The gentleman of whom we write is well in- 
formed on political and general topics and a prom- 
inent political factor not only in the township but 
in the county. He and his wife are social leaders 
in the comni unity and their fine home, which bears 
every evidence of the taste and culture of its in- 
mates, is the center and meeting place for the best 
classes of people in the vicinity. 



.ICHAKD GREEX. Few families of Man- 
chester Township have a higher reputation 
!^ A\ in all matters of character, intelligence and 
^P liberality than the one represented b^' the 
name we have just given. Their magnificent farm 
is located on section 20, Manchester Township, 
and it is highly productive and valuable. Mr. 
Green was born in Nottinghamshire, England, at 



Clipstone, near Mansfield, March 10, 1822, and his 
father, Richard Sr., was born in Lincolnshire, Eng- 
land, in 1782. He was a farmer by occupation 
and lived to be nearly seventj' years old. 

The mother of our subject was born in 1 785 in 
the same section of Phigland. Her maiden name 
was Sarah Bowskill and she ever remained in her 
native land, dying at the age of seventy-seven. 
All of her ten children grew to manhood and 
womanhood and all but one became the heads of 
families. The brothers and sisters of our subject 
are, Susan, deceased, who married James Cobb and 
came to America in 1843; Elizabeth, now Mrs. 
John Stothard, who is still living in England at 
the age of eighty-two; George, deceased; Sarah, 
deceased, who was Mrs. AVilliam Blackwell; Mary, 
deceased, who married AVilliam Terry; Ann, Mrs. 
William P'allowell, who died in I^ngland; Phoebe, 
Mrs. Richard Silverwood, who resides in Jackson 
County; Roltert, whose home is in Manchester 
Township, and William, who is now in England. 

Mr. Green's pre-eminence in farming pursuit* 
was earl.v made evident, as at the age of eighteen 
he took the first prize at a plowing match at Oler- 
ton, England. He received his education at his 
native home and came to America in 1843, land- 
ing at Ciuebec June 28, 1843. He at once came 
West and upon reaching Detroit, set out for Man- 
chester on foot as he was already in debt $6 and 
could not afford the luxury of a ride. His first 
work was to cut grass with a sc3'the for the com- 
pensation of six shillings a day and he soon hired 
out for $13 a month. During the winter of 1843- 
44, he cut one hundred and fifty cords of wood in 
three months getting twenty cents a cord, and dur- 
ing the next year he again engaged to his former 
em|)loyer for $140 per year. After this he took 
service with Peter Van Winkle at 112. .50 per month, 
and during this season cradled forty-five acres of 
wheat. He again worked for the same employer 
another year. 

The marriage of Richard Green and Anna Eng- 
lish was celebrated August 19, 1846. This lady, 
the daughter of Richard and Susannah (Green) 
English, was born in Kings Count>-, Ireland, May 
23, 1828, and her father and grandfather were born 
in tiie same house where she first saw the light. 



522 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



County Westmead was the native home of her 
mother and this daughter was but eight years old 
when she came to Michigan with her parents. Af- 
ter marriage the J^oung couple located on section 
20, of this townsliip, on a forty-acre farm which 
tlie young man had just bought. After a j'ear 
they took a farm on the shares at Iron Ci'eek for 
three j^ears, and during that time bought and partl}^ 
improved eiglity acres on section 20. Thej' then 
purchased eigiity acres on section 20, where the 
home now stands. Tliere was tlien upon tlie place 
a log house into which they moved, and there tliey 
lived for nine years. 

The beautiful home of Mr. Green was erected in 
1861 at a cost of * 1,800. Upon the farm he has 
placed three good barns and other outhouses, be- 
sides a tenement house which he put up in 1875 at 
a cost of 1700 and a barn which cost $.500. He 
now keeps a man to operate this fine farm of two 
hundred and seventy-six acres while he super- 
vises the work, that all maj- be done in tlie right 
way. The liberality of Mr. Green is evidenced 
by his many gifts and investments in matters of pul)- 
lic interests. He put -$400 in the Clinton Woolen 
Factory, $100 in the Hillsdale Railroad, assisted 
in building a Baptist parsonage in Manchester at a 
cost of 12,000, and donated $1,080 of that sum to 
the church; he also paid $260 out of the 8516 nec- 
essary for a bell for the Baptist Church. For more 
than twenty-five years he has contributed from $40 
to $60 a year for the support of this church, of 
wliich he has been Deacon for twenty-five years, and 
gave $200 at one time to the Kalamazoo College. 
He has a life mombersliip in the Bible Union Re- 
vision Society which cost him $30. He also con- 
tributed $50 to the endowment fund of the Chair 
of Mathematics as a memorial to Edward Olney, 
LL. D., of Kalamazoo. 

As no children blest the uniim of Mr. and Mrs. 
Green, they adopted two daughters whom they 
reared as tenderly as though their own. The older, 
Phcebe M., is the wife of Harmon Clark; the 
younger, Georgia Chappie, is the wife of George 
M. Sutton, who novv works the farm on shares. 
In 1878 Mr. and Mrs. Green took a trip to 
England and Ireland consuming eight months in 
the journey. In 1889 they took another trip across 



the ocean, going to France, England and Ireland, 
and remaining until 1890. The reader will be 
pleased to notice on another page, lithographic 
portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Green. 



I 



^ OHN P. KIRK, City Attorney of Ypsilanti, 
has the honor of being the youngest gentle- 
man who has held this important ixjsition 
in the history of the city, he having been 
appointed June 8, 1891, when only twent^y-three 
years old. He has however filled the office witli 
credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the 
people. His legal erudition is well known to all 
who have become familiar with legal circles in this 
community. Politicallj' he is an earnest believer 
in the principles of the Democratic part}', and al- 
though not a politician in the ordinary sense of 
that word, he wields his strong personal influence 
for their advancement and uses the powers of his 
mind to convince others of their correctness. 

To the biographical writer who fifty years hence, 
shall record the lives of prominent citizens of this 
county, we must give the privilege of narrathig 
the complete history of Mr. Kirk. Suffice it for us 
to record what has thus far happened of note in 
his life. A native of Ypsilanti, he was born Sep- 
tember 20, 1867, and is the son of Bernard and 
Ann (Murphy) Kirk, who still reside in this citj'. 
The father has made liis home in this county for 
thirt3'-five years and has been a resident of the city 
of Ypsilanti for a quarter of a centurj'. He fol- 
lows the trade of a carriage-maker, and bj' unre- 
mitting energyand honorable dealing with all has 
not only gained a good trade but has also become 
well-known as an upright, kind-hearted gentleman. 
The early life of our subject was passed in 
much the usual manner of hoys in these da^ys, 
and he made good use of the opportunities for edu- 
cation which was offered in the free schools of 
Ypsilanti. In 1886 he was graduated from the 
High School, after having completed its prescribed 
course of study, and having a natural aptitude for 
the law, he chose it for a profession when the time 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



523 



came for him to select a calling in life. Immedi- 
ately' after leaving High Scliool he entered the law 
department of the University of Michigan and is a 
graduate of the class of '88. As soon as he was ad- 
mitted to practice at the bar he located with .Judge 
,1. W. Babbitt, and has continued to practice with 
great snccess. For the past six years he has taken 
considerable interest in military matters and is now 
First Lieutenant of Company H, Fourth Regiment, 
^Michigan State Troops. 



jTr^^ENNIS WARNER. This gentleman who is 
I jjj now a retired merchant of Dexter and one 
if'^'' of its oldest settlers, had his birth in Corn- 
wall, Addison County, Vt., May 17, 1812, liis pa- 
rents being Jared and Anna (Rockwell) Warner, 
the father a nativi^ of Connecticut, and the mother 
of ^■ermont. The grandfather, Philip Warner, was 
of English origin and the maternal grandfather, 
.John Rockwell, '.vas of Scotch parentage and 
both these ancestors were pioneers of the Green 
]\Iountain State. 

Our subject was but thirteen years old when he 
was bereaved by death of his father after which 
he was bound out until he gained his majority, to 
Warren Spaulding, a farmer, having the privilege 
of attending school one month each winter. Mr. 
Spaulding was unfortunate in business and having 
broken up in the East came to Michigan leaving 
the boj' of sixteen free to follow his own inclina- 
tions. He now learned the trades of tanning, cur- 
rying and shoemaking, and after working thus for 
a year and one-half he left his situation and 
worked for two months with Esq. Aaron Lawrence, 
of Shoreham, Vt., thus earning money sufficient to 
buy some good clothes. He then attended the 
Newton Academy in that place for three months, 
working for his board and going in debt for his 
tuition. His new clothes had now become shabby 
and he was determined to enter the mercantile 
business but knew that he needed a better outfit. 
He accordingly presented his case to a stranger, a 
merchant in Shoreham, named .lames Turrell. who 



promptly and kindly offered the boy credit and 
expressed a confidence in his ability and good in- 
tentions. This encouragement gave a new stimu- 
lus to the youth and helped greatl}- to carry him 
to the success he h.as now attained. 

The material which this kind merchant now fur- 
nished him was made up into clothes by his sister 
and he began clerking for Mr. Burchard at Watch 
Point at §3 a month. He worked hard for two 
years and paid up all his debts. He was now of 
age and had taken the Western fever and planned 
to migrate to Michigan with his sister, although 
his employer would gladly have retained him, and 
finally would have made him his partner. 

Upon arriving in Michigan in September, 1833, 
Mr. Warner had less than $1 in his purse, but with 
wonderful enterprise and grit he determined to 
purchase; land, and borrowed ^lOO on fourteen per 
cent interest and at once accepted a proffered job 
of cutting rails from standing trees at fifty cents a 
hundred. Of course he did not make money fast 
at this arduous task but he accumulated some and 
also learned to make shingles and with them roof 
the numerous log houses which were going up 
about him. Thus it was not long before he w.as 
able to repay the money which he had borrowed 
.and after selling the eighty acres of land which he 
had purchased at an advanced price, he purchased 
one hundred and sixty acres in the township of 
Lima and proceeded to break ten acres and to 
"roll up" a log cabin and prepare for housekeep- 
ing by bringing home a wife in the person of Har- 
riet N., daughter of Mahlon Wines. In order to 
obtain the necessary means for housekeeping and 
farming he hired out for a year as a clerk to a 
dry-goods merchant at Dexter, Mr. Charles P. Cow- 
den, at •118 a month and house rent. He thus 
saved enough to buj- a yoke of oxen, a cow and a 
few implements and the happy young couple now 
took possession of their own home. 

A serious disJister soDn overtook the young 
farmer, as during his first season the crops failed 
and the noted financial crisis of 1837 set in, and 
when one of his oxen died, he rented out his farm 
and moving to town went to work to retrieve his 
lost fortune. Here at Dexter he took hold of any 
work that offered itself and after the first winter 



524 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



resorted to shoemaking. He borrowed $100 at 
eighteen per cent interest, and buying a stock of 
leather pursued the business with so much energy 
that after a few years lie had fourteen men in his 
employ. 

Mr. Warner now conceived the idea of bring- 
ing on a stock of general merchandise and going 
to New York City he presented himself to the 
merchants there just as he had done in boyhood 
days to the kind merchant, Mr. Turrell, and like 
Mr. Turrell the New York merchants believed in 
the man and gave him the credit which he needed 
and he brought home a fine stock of dry-goods, 
groceries, boots, shoes, hardware, leather and find- 
ings, etc. From this time on he had a prosperous 
career and frequently visited New York as often 
as twice a yeir, besides resorting to Boston, Buffalo 
and Detroit for goods. He could have bought at 
one time §100,000 worth of goods without paying 
$1 down, and this remarkable confidence has ever 
been shown him by the men with whom he has had 
to deal and this trust has never been betrayed. 
He carried on this mercantile business for twenty- 
three years and his sales sometimes amounted to 
$30,000. 

At the close of twenty-tliree jears of active bus- 
iness, Mr. Warner decided to retire from work and 
enjoy the fruits of his life's labors. Besides much 
valuable business property in Dexter he owns 
three good fainis, although he h.as suffered many 
severe losses, especially by fire. Twice he lost in 
this way nearly all his possessions and he also suf- 
fered bereavement by death, his famil}- passing 
away one by one, until he was left alone. His 
first wife w.as called from earth April 28, 1847, 
her two children having previously died. 

Martha M. Warner, who became the second wife 
of our subject, was born in Framingham, Mass., 
Januaiy 20, 1825, and was the eldest daughter of 
Samuel Murdock by his second wife, Nabby Stone. 
The family, which was of Scotch descent, removed 
from New England to Rochester, N. Y., in 1828, 
and there Mrs. Warner's mother died ten years 
later. In the spring of 1839 her father came to 
Ypsilanti, Mich., to place his daughters in the fam- 
ily of an old friend and under the instruction of 
Miss Eliza Clark, a graduate of Mt. Holyoke Sem- 



inary, whom he afterward married. Under her in- 
struction Martha ^lurdock prepared herself for en- 
trance into Mt. Holyoke, but owing to financial 
disasters and the long sickness and death of her 
step-mother, this plan was ultimately given up 
and the daughter installed herself as her father's 
housekeeper instead of fitting herself for teaching. 

Samuel Murdock, after the death of this wife, 
went to New Orleans and for twenty-five years 
pursued missionary work there, and although he 
was not a clergyman he was educated for mission- 
ary work and recived a license to thus act in New 
Orleans. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he 
refused to enlist in the Southern Army and was 
confined in prison, but finally by the intercession 
of church people he was released and allowed to 
return home where he lived for a short time with 
his daughters, until his death which took place in 
1870, when he had alread3' reached extreme old age. 
His son, Henry Martyn Jlurdock, who was pre- 
paring for a missionary career died of consumption 
at the age of twenty. 

Martha Murdock was first married in 1845 to 
John C. Ellis of Ypsilanti, but her married life 
with hiin was short as he died Februaiy 25, 1848, 
leaving one daughter, Kate, who became Mrs. W. 
H. Morehouse of Emporia, Kan., and has since 
died. Mrs. Ellis was united in marriage with our 
subject April 12, 1855, and to them was born one 
child, Charles H., who now lives on a farm near the 
village of De.xter. 

The beautiful Christian character of Mrs. War- 
ner is most highly appreciated by all who have 
ever known her and her memory will ever remain 
green in the hearts of those who loved her. She 
united with the Presbyterian Church in Penfield, 
N. Y., at the .age of twenty- years and on coming 
to Dc.xter united with the Congregational Church 
hare, as there was no Presbyterian Church. She 
died March 20, 1887, being instantly killed by the 
fast train on the Michigan Central Railw.ay. She 
■was in company with her husband on the way to 
visit her son Charles, who lived on the opposite 
side of the railw.ay, and was struck by the pilot 
and fell dead in her husband's arms. For forty 
3'ears she had been a teacher in the Sunday-school 
of the Congregational Church and on the very 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



525 



day she died she had addressed a class of fourteen 
young men and women just before the accident. 
She was an active worker in every good work and 
especially helpful in the labors of the Woman's 
Christian Temperance Union. The liberality of 
Mr. Warner in educational matters is well-known 
and his generous gifts to various prominent insti- 
tutions of learning will long be remembered. 



-^ 



OL. OSCAR E. PRATT, M. D. The gentle- 
man, the salient points of whose life history 
we shall endeavor to give below, is one of 
the most prominent physicians of Ypsilanti, and 
his experience in this way in civil life has been 
supplemented by the crucial one of witnessing 
death and the most terrible of wounds with their 
attendant surgical operations while in the late 
war, in which he was a brave and honored soldier. 
As a gentleman Dr. Pratt commends himself most 
pleasantly to those with whom he comes in con- 
tact. He is a man of great force of character and 
one whose very presence would soothe a nervous 
and weakened patient. He is well read and in- 
formed, not only as regards his profession, but in 
the current topics of the day. 

Dr. Pratt was born in Ontario Township, Wayne 
County, N. Y., December 17, 1838. He is the son 
of Alva Pratt, a sturdy pioneer of Western New 
York, who was born in Whatele}', Mass., in 1796. 
Our subject's grandfather was an early settler in 
Wayne County, N. Y., where he engaged in fann- 
ing, but died soon after locating there, in 1806. 
He was in the War of 1812. He belonged to a 
good old English family, representatives of whom 
emigrated to this country during earl^' Colonial 
days. Our subject's father also pursued the agri- 
cultural calling for many years. He was a most 
capable and upright business man, of superior intel- 
lectual attainments, being thoroughly educated 
and well read. He was the owner of two farms, 
comprising over three hundred acres, in New York. 
Later he removed to ]\Ionroe County. In 1867 he 
retired from active business life, locating in the 



village of Webster, N. Y., and in 1872 he died. 
Prior to the war he was an Abolitionist of pro- 
nounced ideas and an ardent Republican. He was 
among the patriots who assisted in the underground 
railroad and aided runaway slaves to escape to 
Canada. He belonged to the Eree Will Baptist 
Church and was one of the pillars of that denom- 
ination. 

Our subject's mother was in her girlhood a Miss 
Ann Peck. She was a native of New Haven, 
Conn., and was born in 1799, a daughter of Ches- 
ter and Pnsdlla Peck. The former was a mechanic, 
his special branch being tliat of a carpenter and 
builder. He was a skilled workman of the old- 
fashioned, thorough type. He early removed to 
New York State and there settled. Ann Peck was 
a well-educated lady, previous to her marriage 
having been a teacher and a woman of more than 
ordinaiy literary abilitj-. She is now past ninety- 
two years of age and is strong and robust and re- 
sides at the present time in Webster, N. Y. She is 
a large-hearted and public-spirited woman, having 
been associated most actively for many years with 
benevolent and literary societies. She is an active 
member of the Presbyterian Church. 

The original of our sketch is one of ten children 
who were born to his parents and the youngest of 
the family. Nine of these lived to reach years of 
maturity and three survive at the present time. 
The3- are Chester S., Almond J. and Oscar E., of 
whom this sketch is written. Chester S. is a far- 
mer residing in Berrien County, Mich.; Almond J. 
served in the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth New 
York Regiment and was a Captain of the United 
States Colored Troops, and is now a retired mer- 
chant in Webster, N. Y. 

Oscar E. Pratt was reared on the home farm un- 
til seventeen years of age and during that time he 
received the advantages to be obtained at the pub- 
lie schools of the localitj-, after which he attended 
various schools in Wayne and Monroe Counties, 
N. Y. He studied the classics at Macedou Acad- 
emy and at the age of eighteen began teaching 
during the winter, his first school being in Michi- 
gan. He came to Galesburg, this State, in 1856, 
and taught for one term near that town. He 
served an apprenticeship as pharmacist with Dr. I. 



PORTRAIT AND KK )GRAPmCAL ALBUM. 



J. Babcock and also began reading medicine with 
him. He later concluded that his education was 
not complete enough to pursue his profession suc- 
cessfully, and tiierefore he returned to New York 
State and pursued his studies in Webster and 
Macedon Academies, after which he taught school 
several terms. 

In 1861 our subject resumed his medical studies, 
reading with Dr. J. D. Dunning, of Webster, N. Y., 
and remaining with him until 1862, when he en- 
listed in the war, joining Company' C, Fourth New 
York Heav.y Artillery. He was mustered in at 
Rochester, N. Y., August 13, 1862, and was imme- 
diately sent to the front in the South, most of his 
service as an enlisted man being in Virginia. The 
fall of 1862 and the following spring were spent 
around the capital, upon which the Union soldiers 
were anticipating an attack. They also made 
many raiding excursions in the vicinity. In 1863 
our subject was commissioned Captain of the Sev- 
enth United States Colored Troops hy Secretary of 
War Stanton. He served with his regiment in 
Virginia, South Carolina and Florida nntil .July, 
1864, when he was ordered to join the Army of the 
Potomac, and participated in the hotly contested 
battles around Richmond and Petersburg during 
the fall and winter campaigns of 1864 and the 
spring of 1865, and was an active participant in 
the closing scenes of the drama at Appomattox 
Court House. While in Virginia he received his 
commission as Major and later was advanced to the 
position of Lieutenant-Colonel, and then was brev- 
eted Colonel in recognition of his gallant and mer- 
itorious services in the field. He had in no wise 
sought or solicited the honor, hence it was doulily 
a compliment. He commanded his regiment in this 
capacity for one and a half years. After closing 
camp at City Point he with his regiment was 
ordered to Texas to look after the rebel General 
Kirby Smith. They were transported to Indianola 
and remained there until October, 1866, when they 
were mustered out. For several months preceding 
his muster out he held the trying and delicate posi- 
tion of Chief of the Freednien's Bureau at Austin, 
Texas, and was very successful in adjusting the 
difficult issues which arose between the ex-slaves 
and their old masters. I 



Leaving his command at Indianola, our subject 
went home, going by rail to Rochester, via AVash- 
ington. Although he escaped being wounded, he 
liad many narrow calls, having had bullets shot 
through his hats and clothing. A close student of 
military tactics, our subject took the utmost jjride 
in drilling his command and was repaid for his labor 
b\' the reputation whicli it acquired of being the 
best drilled regiment in the brigade. After return- 
ing home he engaged in the drug business at AVeb- 
ster, N. Y., for a few years and then resumed the 
study of medicine under his old preceptor, Dr. 
Dunning, and pr.acticed to some extent at his home. 
In 1874 he sold out his business and entered the 
Medical College at Buffalo, which is of the regular 
school. After spending one year there he entered 
the Cleveland Homojopathic Hospital College, from 
which he was graduated in 1876. 

Having with great patience and persistence ac- 
quired the degree of M. D., our subject returned to 
his home in Webster and practiced until 1876 
there and at Amsterdam, N. Y, when he removed 
to Oneonta, X. Y., where he had nine years of suc- 
cessful practice, and thence removed to Chicago, 
locating at 796 W. Madison Street. After a year's 
successful practice lie was obliged to leave the city 
on account of continued sickness in his family, and 
in the spring of 1886 he located in Ypsilanti, where 
since that time he li.as built up a large and lucra- 
tive practice. Our subject's interest and associa- 
tions have been for a long time almost exclusively 
those of the medical profession. 

Dr. Pratt foreswore his state of single blessedness 
in Webster, N. Y., and August 25, 1864, was mar- 
ried to Miss Amelia Holley. who was born in the 
same place. She is a daughter of AVilliam Holley, 
a farmer of that place and a man of sterling quali- 
ties, who has attained considerable prominence. 
i\[rs. Pratt was educated in her home school and 
attended Walworth Academj', and after finishing 
there was engaged for some time as a teacher. Of 
SIX children born to this estimable couple only 
three are now living. They are AVilliam H., How- 
ard E. and Ruby. 

Our subject belongs to Carpenter Post, No. 180, 
G. A. R., and for two years held the position of 
Post Commander. He and all the members of his 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



527 



m 



family have been connected with tlie Presbyterian 
Cliurch and our subject lias been Superintendent 
of the Sunda3'-school,and for many years has been 
and still is an el-der of that church. Politically 
he casts the weight of his vote and influence with 
the Republican party, the first vote having been 
cast for Abraham Lincoln. He has been delegate 
to both State and county conventions. As to his 
profession, he is a member of the Washtenaw 
County Medical Society, and also of the State Med- 
ical Society, and while in New York was President 
of the Otsego County Medical Society and Secre- 
tary of the Otsego and Chenango Medical Associ- 
ation and also a member of the New York State 
Medical Society. 



"if OHN MICHAEL STEIN. One of the beau- 
tiful farms in Ann Arbor Township, richly 
cultivated and neatly kept, is that which is 
owned and supervised by Mr. Stein. Al- 
though of German parentage, he was born in Scio 
Township, upon the farm on section 26, where his 
father settled in 1835, his natal day being June 
23, 1842. His parents, Michael and Magdallne 
(Hornbecker) Stein, were both natives of Wurtem- 
berg, German}', and the father was born in 1805 
and served for three years in the German army. 
The military service and the disadvantages of 
continental life roused this worthy man to an 
appreciation of what life in America might prove 
to himself and children, and he emigrated to this 
country in 1835 and settled on what is now the old 
homestead, taking and clearing up eiglity acres of 
good farming land, to which he later added eighty 
acres more. 

The father of our subject died April 3, 1869, and 
his good wife survived him for many years and 
finally passed away at the age ol seventy-eight, on 
the 3d of Jul}', 1888. They had a family of ten 
children, all but one of whom are now living and 
in Washtenaw County. 

Our subject was reared upon the farm and be- 
sides learning what all boys learn, who are thus 



trained, took the carpenter's trade when he was 
twent3'-one and followed that for seven years. He 
and his brother Christian bought the homestead 
upon which they lived together for six years, and 
then John sold out his interest to his brother and 
removed to where he now lives, three miles north 
of Ann Arbor. He has here a handsome farm of 
one hundred and forty acres, which is in a splen- 
did condition and where he carries on general 
farming. This farm was settled by James Fellahec, 
who secured it from the Government and lived 
upon it for fifteen years. 

The 19th of May, 1870, marked an epoch of 
great importance in the life of John M. Stein, as he 
was then happily united for life with Katherina 
Braun, who was born July 28, 1845. The children 
who have blessed this union are Simeon F., who 
died at the age of two years; Albert Christian, who 
was born August 15, 1873; and Hannah Maria, who 
was born May 26, 1876. Both children are stu- 
dents at the High School at Ann Arbor. The 
political views of Mr. Stein have led him to affiliate 
with the Democratic party, and his religious belief 
brings him into active co-operation with the Luth- 
eran Church. 



HARLES McCORMICK. We present with 
pleasure a sketch of the life history of one 
of the best known farmers and citizens of 
Pittsfleld Township, who was born in Steuben 
County, N. Y., in a village called Painted Post, on 
the 18th of Decemlier, 1824. His parents, John and 
Betsy (Thurber) McCormick, were born and reared 
in Steuben County, and his father was in liis 
younger " days a raftsman on the Susquehanna 
River, and in his later da3'S was a farmer. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was a 
British soldier and was taken prisoner at the bat- 
tle of the Delaware by Washington's forces. He 
then joined the American service. At the age of 
one year, on Christmas Day, 1825, our subject was 
brougiit by his parents to Michigan. They lo- 
cated in Superior Township, this county, and took 



528 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



up land, the deed of which bears the signature of 
John (Juincy Adams. This country was then a vast 
unbroken wilderness. In 1866 the boy was sent 
East to attend school and lived with a brother 
until 1840, thus receiving fine educational advan- 
tages. He then returned to this State as a teacher 
in the public schools, but did not long follow this 
vocation. His father died in 1833, and his mother 
in 1856, and our subject remained at home until 
1844, when he went to Lake Superior. He was 
then engaged in mining, and he followed milling 
for awhile. 

The marriage of our subject with Mary Ann Miu- 
ton, of Detroit, occurred in 1851, and after this he 
started out in the tin peddling business in Ypsi- 
lanti, and then undertook the management of a 
hardware store. He was City Marshal at that point 
for four years, and also filled the offices of Alder- 
man and Constable, and since that time has made 
his home in Ypsilauti. For eighteen years he 
operated a successful meat market, and for four 
years was Supervisor of the township. In 1887 
he was appointed Keeper of the County Poor 
Farm, and has entire control of the county in- 
mates of the farm. He has always affiliated with 
the Democratic party, l)ut during the war was 
known as a War Democrat and enlisted a small 
company for the Government. His wife was born 
and brought up in Detroit, where her parents 
resided for twenty years but are now deceased. 



JOHN BUNTON. Among the many promi- 
nent, enterprising and successful citizens of 
Washtenaw County, whose biography it is 
a pleasure to give among the honored ones 
of this locality, is the worthy gentleman whose 
name heads this sketch, and who is one of the 
most progressive citizens of Augusta Township, 
residing on section 12. Mr. Bunton is a fair speci- 
men of the best men that Washtenaw County pro- 
duces, he being a native of this locality, and his 
birth occurring February 9, 1839. He is a son of 
William and Jemima (Stevens) Bunton, both par- 



ents being natives of England, who emigrated to 
America about 1835-36, and on landing in this 
country came directly to Washtenaw County, this 
State, and settled first in the village of Ypsilanti, 
where the father died. 

After the decease of our subject's father his 
mother remarried, her second husband being Will- 
iam Horner, and soon after the family removed to 
Augusta Township, and they have ever since re- 
sided here. The mother of our subject died in 
1886. He of whom we write was reared to man- 
hood where he now lives, being brought up on a 
farm amid scenes of pioneer life. He received his 
education in the common schools of the count3', 
and is well fitted for the ordinary business of life. 
He is practically a self-made man, he having learned 
many of his best methods from actual experience. 
Our subject's marriage took place April 28, 1863, 
his wife being Miss Harriet E. Eldridge, who was 
born in Livingston County', N. Y. She is a daugh- 
ter of Barber and Lucy A. (Koons) Eldridge, of 
Livingston County. By the union of our sub- 
ject and his wife there have been bom six chil- 
dren, whose names are as follows: Cora E., James 
B., Arthur Jay, Frederick M., Bert and John C. 
They have besides an adopted daughter, whose 
name is Emma J. Diilison. 

When about twenty years old Mr. Bunton be- 
gan learning the carpenter and joiner's trade, and 
worked at it irregularly for several years. He was 
subsequently engaged in farming on shares for 
two years as a renter, and at the end of that time 
purchased a farm in Hillsdale County, Mich., in 
Allen Township. He there farmed for two years, 
and then removed to Branch County, and there 
was engaged in agriculture for several j'ears, but 
finally returned to Washtenaw County and went 
into the mercantile business at what is now known 
as Whitaker's Corners, in Augusta Township. He 
was there for four years, and then settled on his 
present farm. Mr. Bunton has been one of the 
most enterprising men in securing the railroad 
and station at AVillis. He is the owner of one 
one hundred and twenty acres of land, which is in 
a fine condition and bears valuable improvements. 

A Republican in his political way of thinking, 
our subject favors advancement in everj' phase of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL ALBUM. 



529 



life, and is a generous contributor both of his 
time and means to every measure that promises to 
be f Jr the benefit of this section of the country. 
The present thriving village of AVillis is largely 
indebted to the energy of our subject for its being. 
Besides his farming, he is also engaged in buying 
and shipping produce and stock, in which last he 
deals quite extensively. He lias served in various 
local offices, having been Justice of the Peace of 
Augusta Townsliip for four years and Highway 
Commissioner for one year. He is public-spirited 
and eminently enterprising, and enjoys the esteem 
and respect of all who know him. 



il^^i'i 



/RED WARNER. Among the retired farmers 
S) of Washtenaw Count^', who are making 
their home at Dexter, none is more worthy 
of our interest than the gentleman wliose name we 
liave just given. He is of Eastern birth and par- 
entage, and was born in Litchfield County, Conn., 
October 25, 1813. His parents, Curtis and Eunice 
(Hull) Warner, had their native home in Connecti- 
cut. The mother removed to Genesee County, 
N. Y., wlien this son was but six years old, and 
after remaining there for six years they came, in 
November, 1826, to Washtenaw County. The 
father had died in Connecticut when the boy was 
four or five years old, and the family now con- 
sisted of the mother and seven children, of whom 
our subject was the youngest. 

These emigrants reached Washtenaw County 
on the 26th of November, 1826, journeying by the 
aid of two yoke of oxen and a wagon, and driv- 
ing their cows, sheep and hogs, spending twent^'- 
one days on the road between Buffalo and Ann 
Arbor, and bringing their provisions with them. 
Two of the elder sons, Charles and Henry, had 
been to Michigan the spring before and secured 
one hundred and sixty acres of Government land 
five miles west of Dexter in that township. They 
had erected a log house before Henry returned to 
bring on the family, while Charles remained with 
Mr. Simeon Mills, who had come with them and 



had assisted in building the house. At that time 
there was but one house between Ann Arbor and 
Dexter, Judge Dexter having settled here in 1824. 
The only family was tliat of the Noble brothers, 
who were then but one mile west of Judge Dexter, 
and beyond that were no known settlers, west, 
north or south, so they were indeed upon the 
borders of civilization. 

The pla^ymates of our subject were Indians, and 
thousands of the savages passed on the waj' to 
Maiden to get their annual present from the Gov- 
ernment. The famil3- consisted of Charles, Henry, 
Hull, Laura, Deborah, Sallie, William, George and 
Fred. The third son never came to Michigan, 
and the eldest daughter died in infancy in Con- 
necticut. The motlier lived only three years after 
coming here, so that these young people were earl j"^ 
cast upon their own resources and had to be 
guided by their own judgment. 

Cliarles and Henry always worked together upon 
tlie old homestead, and the former died here in 
1879, in his eighty-sixth year. He never married 
but depended for his home hapjiiness upon his 
brotlier's family. Henry married Melinda Good- 
year, and died in 1877, in his eighty-second 3'ear; 
Laura did not marry, and lived with her brother 
Fred until she too passed away in 1880, at Lhe age 
of eighty-two; Sallie died at the age of fifty-seven, 
unmarried, having also made her liome with Fred; 
William secured Government land in Lima Town- 
ship, and died in Dexter, in February, 1891, hav- 
ing reached his eight3'-fifth j-ear. His widow and 
one daughter are living in Dexter, the daughter 
being the wife of George Slater, an attorney at 
Alpena; George was a merchant at Dexter for forty 
years, and one of the oldest business men of that 
city. He died in 1866, and his widow, who was 
in maidenhood Frances S. Porter, is now the widow 
of Pierpout L. Smith, and resides in Dexter. 

Fred Warner and his brother William took Gov- 
ernment land in Lima Townshiji, and afterward 
our subject obtained two hundred acres, so that 
he final!}' had a farm of three hundred and sixty 
acres, upon which he lived until after Henry's death, 
when, in settling his estate he parted with a portion 
of liis farm to William, and Fred took the old home- 
stead, consisting of four hundred and forty acres, 



530 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



upon whi( li he lived until he removed to Dexter, 
in March, 1891. Ilenr^y and William were identi- 
fied, officially, with the township and county, and 
Henry was one of the first breeders of Sliort-horn 
cattle and Merino sheep, in which line Fred has 
continued. He has a herd of twenty-five registered 
Short-horns, and has from this herd supplied many 
of the farmers with first-class stock. He also sends 
stock as far as Minnesota, Idaho .and Washington. 
The subject of this brief biography was, on the 
20th of ]May, 1860, united in marriage with Ma- 
tilda A. Porter, daughter of Philip and Louisa 
(Botsford) Porter, both natives of Connecticut. 
An elder sister of this ladj^ had married in that 
State to George Warner, and Matilda came to 
make her home with her sister, and was here some 
three or four years before she wedded Fred 
AVarncr. Another sister. Mrs. H. P. Bump, lives at 
Howell. As Mr. and Mrs. "Warner have no chil- 
dren of their own they iiave taken two, Etta and 
Edward Day, who have been with them for seven 
years, and whom the}' have brought up to the ages 
of twenty-one and twelve respectively. In the 
olden times Mr. Warner was a Whig, but he is now 
attached to the Republican party, and has never 
missed a Presidential vote since 1836. Mrs. Warner 
is a member of the Episcopal Church and an hon- 
ored and useful member of society. 



-^^ 



-H- 



RS. EMILY M. SWIFT, the widow of Cas- 
sius Swift, is a member of the Noble fam- 
ily, which in 1823 came to Washtenaw 
Count}-. This family- was represented by 
two brothers, S3'lvanus and Nathaniel, the first hav- 
ing a wife and six children and the second his wife 
and four children. With these people came two 
j-oung ladies, Hopey Johnson, sister of Mrs. Syl- 
vanus Noble, and Lois Slilson, a sister of Nathaniel 
Noble's wife. They settled at Ann Arbor and Miss 
Johnson taught the first school that was established 
in the county, and they all finally settled perma- 
nently in Dexter Township, where Miss Jolinson 
made her home with her sister till she was married 



to Henry Noble, of Cleveland, a cousin of these 
two brothers, and Lois Stilton married a merchant 
of Detroit named Thomas Ballard. 

Nathaniel Noble's family has now no represen- 
tative in the county, but two of his descendants 
are in the foundiy business in Elk Rapids and one 
is in Chi(ago. Mrs. Swift is thus the only one of 
the two families who still remains in the county 
and her home is one of the first that was built in 
the town. Nathaniel Noble died in the village of 
Dexter. 

Cassius Swift w.as born in 1805, in Kent, Conn., 
and died upon Christmas Day, 1849, at the age of 
fortj'-four years. His parents, Omer and Electa 
Swift, were married in Connecticut and remained 
in the East through the lifetime of the father, who 
died when Cassius was only five j'cars old, after 
which the boy lived with an uncle, Mr. Bailey, at 
Geneva, N. Y. This relative was a merchant and 
brought up his nephew to that business, caring for 
him and training him, although he had ten sons 
of his own. He was a brother of Judge Milton 
Bailey, of Ottawa, 111., who died some three years 
ago. 

Mi: Swift was married August 23, 1838, to Em- 
ilj' M. Noble, who was born at New Lisbon, Otsego 
County, N. Y., December 15, 1819. Her father, 
Sylvanus, and her mother, SalUe (Tuttle) Noble, 
were of Eastern birth, the former being born in New 
Lisbon. N. Y.. and the latter in New Haven, Conn. 
Her Grandfather Noble and his brother came from 
Scotland and settled in New York. In 1833 they 
came to Ann Arbor and in 1834 determined to set- 
tle permanently in Dexter, securing a farm about 
a mile and a half out of town. This land was ob- 
tained from the Government and was one of the 
very first that was taken in this county. 

Here Mr. Noble lived until his demise, five years 
later, of consumption, when he was fourty-four 
3'ears old. His wife survived him many 3-ears and 
reached the age of eightv-four. In the course of 
time she married Nathaniel Daniels and remained 
on the old farm until after his deatli, when she 
made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Dr. Gray. 

Mr. and Mrs. Noble had a family of six chil- 
dren, namely: Lewis, who has become an Episcopal 
clergyman; Jeauette; Claudius, who died at the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



531 



age of sixteen; Ambrose, Emily and Francis. 
Lewis died at Ionia, Midi., some eleven years ago, 
having reached the age of seventy years. He 
received his theological training in New York City 
and was a member of an eastern Diocese until 
about a j-ear previous to his death; Jeanette be- 
came the wife of Dr. Amos Gray, one of the pio- 
neer physicians of the county, being the first one 
to follow in the wake of Dr. Nichols, who is con- 
ceded to have been the first. After her death the 
Doctor lived with a daughter at Elk Rapids and 
died there some four years ago. being quite 
advanced in years. 

Ambrose Noble became a millwright and died at 
tlie age of thirty _years, while engaged in that bus- 
iness in Southern Ohio. Francis studied with Dr. 
Gray and graduated at Cleveland, Ohio, and has 
since practiced the medical profession at Jersey 
Heights, N. J. Mr. Swift had arrived in this 
county onlj' about three years before his marriage 
with Emily Noble and here he established a general 
mercantile business and carried a large trade. 
Although he was not a public man , he filled the office 
of County Clerk at Ann Arbor, but a short time 
before his death he moved onto his farm, as he 
hoped for improvement in health by countr}^ liv- 
ing. His death was caused by consumption. 

Since that sad event Mrs. Swift has made her 
home in the city. She has only one daughter now 
living. Her eldest son, James, enlisted in the Fif- 
ty-third Illinois Cavalry in 1861, joining the regi- 
ment at Ottawa, and he was killed at Glendale, 
near Corinth, Miss., March 3, 1863, at the age of 
twenty-four years, after a service of two years. 
The children who followed him. Louie, Frank, 
Mary and Electa, all died in infancy. In Febru- 
ary, 1878, Jennie became the wife of Madison Hale, 
of St. Albans, N. Y. James M. Hale was an 
inventor and book canvasser. He died August 7, 
1889, in Cleveland, Ohio, leaving one child, Emil}', 
who is now nine jears old and is under the care 
of her mother and grandmother. 

When the parents of Mrs. Swift first came to this 
county there was only one family living west of 
their farm, that of a French trader, and there were 
none north of them. Her playmates were the In- 
dian children and she remembers many interesting 



points in the early history of the county. Her 
father drove the first loaded team (a small yoke of 
oxen) from Detroit to Dixboro and he had to cut 
his wa3' through the woods, following the Indian 
trail, his wife walking by his side, carrying the 
baby, and riding only when they were obliged to 
ford the streams. This was in October, 1823, and 
forms one of the earliest chapters in the history of 
Washtenaw County. 



^4l MLLIAM WALLACE DELL. Among the 
\\/iJ// ^^'^ residents of Washtenaw County there 
W^ is probably none more worthy of our 
attention than he whose name we have just 
given. He was born June 17, 1843, in Gen- 
esee County, N. Y., his parents being William H. 
and P^unice (Brownell) Dell, the former being a 
native of Massachusetts and the latter of Vermont. 
It was in the spring of 184.5 that he came West 
with his parents, who settled in Saline Township, 
this county, and there entered upon pioneer work. 
These worthy parents passed from earth in this 
county' and of nine children born to them all sur- 
vive. 

The brothers and sisters of our subject are Mari- 
etta E. (now Mrs. Gill), John G., James A., Lj'dia 
L., David R., Mahala J., Lillian O. and Jesse A. 
The father had held some of the minor offices in 
Saline Township and for four years was Deputy 
County Sheriff, being elected thereto upon the Re- 
publican ticket. The work and hardships of a pio- 
neer life were part of the bojhood experience of 
our subject and many a da}^ he has cut with a cra- 
dle six acres of wheat and has done his full share 
in the hard work which is a part of farm life. 
The district schools furnished his education as far 
as school life goes, but he has largel3' added to his 
intellectual training by a course of reading. 

Sarah R. Rawson, daughter of Joseph Rawson,an 
early settler of this county and an Englishman by 
birth, became the bride of our subject, December 
25, 1877. Of their thn* children two are now liv- 
ing, Joseph R. and William H., and the daughter 



532 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL ALBUM. 



who died bore the name of Mabel F. Mr. Dell's 
fine farm of ninety acres on section 7, Augusta 
Township, became the famil>' home in 1882 and it 
has been gained by the unfailing determination and 
persistence of the liaid-workiug man who is the 
subject of this sketch. 

The Republican partj- embodies in its statements 
the political views which are entertained by Mr. 
Dell and his interest in educational matters and his 
intelligence have made him a prominent man upon 
the School Board and the Moderator of that body. 
He is a member of the Masonic order at Saline and 
has served in several important offices of the lodge. 
Mrs. Dell is a native of AVashtenaw County and 
was born April 24, 1851. Her father, .Joseph Raw- 
son, emigrated to America some time during the 
'30s and after residing in the East awhile came to 
Washtenaw County and settled in Bridgewater 
Township and there died, in 1882. He and his 
good wife, Mercy (Hoj't) Rawson, were the parents 
of five children: Mary, Martha M., George F.,Mrs. 
Dell and Zerah. IMartha and Zerah have passed 
from earth and Mar^' is the mfe of C. Saley. Mr. 
Rawson had very small means when he came to 
America, but at his death he left a valuable estate 
to his famil}-. In his death the county lost a most 
valued citizen and the Republican party one of its 
leading thinkers. Mrs. Dell is .in active and effi- 
cient member of the Presb3"terian Church and both 
she and jMr. Dell are esteemed members of society 
.and enjoy the friendship of a large circle. 



'■ ' ^S- 



E^^ 



"if? AMES McLaren. This gentleman who 'is 
the head of a numerous and highly- respect- 
ed family, resides on section 34, Lima 
Township, where his excellent farm and all 
its belongings speak of the sj'stem and thorough- 
ness with which he carries on his business. His 
father, Daniel McLaren, a native of Johnstown, 
Fulton County, N. Y., came to the Territory of 
Michigan about the year 1830, and at once estab- 
lished himself upon a farm in Lima Township, 
where he lived and died. His marriage took place 



here and his bride was Sarah, daughter of Simon 
Winslow, a native of Massachusetts, who had been 
a pioneer in New York. 

To our subject's parents two sons were born, 
Myron and James. The father was a hard work- 
ing man and cleared considerable land, his farm 
comprising two hundred and fifty acres at the 
lime of his death. He was a Democrat in his polit- 
ical views in his earlj- life and until the organiza- 
tion of the Free Soil Part}-, and was in earnest 
sympathj^ with the new movement which resulted 
in the formation of the Republican party, although 
he died in 1850 before its complete organization. 
He was a Royal Arch Mason in New York, but 
was not active in this order after coming to 
Michigan. 

The mother of our subject died in 1868 and she 
was deepl}' mourned not only by her sons, but 
also by all who had coine in contact with her 
in social life. James McLaren was born August 
9, 1835 in Lima Township, which has ever been 
his home. When, at reaching the age of twenty- 
one years he fell heir to one-third of his father's 
estate, he thought best to buy out his mother's 
and brother's interest and to that he has added so 
that he now owns tliree hundred and twenty acres 
most of which is well improved. 

Mr. McLaren was married in 1855 to Virginia, 
daughter of Charles and Sarah (Hospital) Duncan. 
Mr. Duncan is a native of New York, being born 
in Schoharie County and Mrs. Duncan was bom in 
Leesburg, Va. They were the parents of five 
daughters and two sons. They came to Michigan 
in 1840 and lived in tfnadilla Township, Living- 
ston County until the death of Mrs. Duncan, after 
which he removed East and made his home near 
Niagara Falls, for the remainder of his life. He 
was a second time married to Marj' Watson who 
is now Mrs. Ives of Chelsea, Mich. He was a miller 
by trade and a contractor and farmer and was 
an excellent business man. He filled the office of 
Justice of the Peace when he was living in Una- 
dilla Township and was an earnest advocate of the 
Republican party. 

Seven of the eleven children who blessed the 
home of James and Virginia McLaren are still 
living, namel}': Daniel, John, Jaj-, Nellie, Wilber, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



533 



Josephine and James. Those who have passed to 
the other life were Medora, Jennie, Mary and Cora. 
General farming and dairying have occupied the 
attention of onr subject and in both of them he has 
been successful. He is a man of intelligence, hav- 
ing largely supplemented by reading the schooling 
of his boyhood days which was taken in the com- 
mon schools and the academy at Grass Lake. He 
is a Master Mason in the Chelsea Lodge. He was 
at one time a candidate for the State Legislature 
upon the Republican ticket to which party he has 
ever been attached and he has served one term as 
Justice of the Peace, but prefers in general to re- 
main in the quietude of farm life. 



lUSSEL PARKER. A noble class of men 
have built up the agricultural interests of 
Lima Township and have made it a garden 
spot in the great commonwealth of Mich- 
igan. Among those who have been active and 
efficient in the work is he whose name stands at 
the head of this paragraph. His father, Russel 
Parker, Sr., was a native of Otsego County, N. Y., 
and the son of the Rev. Timothy Parker, whose 
birth was in Massachusetts, but who came to New 
York and there spent the remainder of his da^'S. 
He was a local preacher in the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. 

The father of our subject came to Washtenaw 
County, Mich., when a young man and took up 
two hundred and forty acres of Government land 
in Lima and Scio Townships. He was married in 
Pittsfield, Mich., to Hannah Cowen of New York, 
and to them were born seven sons and four daugh- 
ters. The mother died in Lima Township and 
subsequent to that sad event the father married 
Rosetta (Brown) Williams of Oakland County 
and she became tiie mother of four sons and one 
daughter. 

Russel Parker, Sr. came to the Territory of 
Michigan in 182,5, and was thus one of the first 
pioneers in the daj's when deer, wolves and bears 
abounded. He was the first Supervisor of Lima 



Township in the j^ears, 1834-.3.5 and 1836 and was 
also the first Justice of the Peace. He was a hard- 
working man and left his impress upon the county 
in those early daj'S as he cleared and broke a great 
deal of land. 

Our subject was born February 22, 1845 in 
Lima Township and has since resided in the 
county. He remained at home until he attained 
his majorit3', working on the farm and afterward 
rented the farm belonging to Charles Clements 
and since 1879 has resided upon that fine tract of 
two hundred and sixty .acres. The marriage of 
Russel Parker and Carrie Clements was solemn- 
ized August 10, 1886. This lady is a daughter of 
Charles and Mary (Bisenger) Clements of whom 
further mention is made elsewhere in this work. 
Cliarles Clements is one of the best known men in 
Lima Township, as he is a native of the township 
and here spent his whole life. The fine farm of 
two hundred and sixty acres which is now owned 
by his widow came to him bj' inheritance. He 
was a Master Mason. Mary Bisenger is a daughter 
of Conard Bisenger, a native of Germany, and an 
early settler of Scio Township, where he resided 
for many years. He now resides in Ann Arbor, 
and is a well-to-do man and a retired farmer, 
having reached the age of ninety years. He was 
a pioneer of Scio Township and he and his good 
wife who died in that township reared a large 
family. The father of Charles Clements was 
Samuel Clements, a native of Pennsylvania, who 
came to Michigan in 1826, and taking up about 
six hundred and forty acres of land, here continued 
throughout the remainder of his life time. 



g^EH^g i - r:z - 



ILO B. SCHAFFP:R. The gentleman whose 
name is above is retired from the active 
labors to which he has devoted himself 
since his return from the war, and lives in 
the enjoyment of the handsome home which he 
owns at No. 219 Oak Street, Ypsilanti, where he 
has resided for forty years. Mr. Schaffer was born 
in Seneca County, N. Y., near (jeneva, November 



534 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



6, 1844, and is a son of David and Susan (Frantz) 
Schaffer. The familj- came originally from Penns3'l- 
vania. Our subject's fatlier was a miller by occu- 
pation and came by boat to Detroit and to this 
city in 1851. 

Our subject's immediate progenitor first engaged 
in business at this point with Chancey .Joslyn in 
the old Eagle Mills. He remained here until his 
death, engaged in the same occupation. His de- 
cease occurred December 12, 1859, at which time 
he left a widow and live children, there being three 
sons and two daughters. The eldest son George 
is engaged in the harness business in this city; 
John lives in AVillis, this countj-; Elizabeth mar- 
ried Rufus Keyser of this city; Rebecca who is 
the wife of Spencer H. Beecher of Lansing, and our 
subject who is the j-oungest of the familj'. The 
mother still lives at the age of eighty -six years, and 
resides only two doors distant from our subject. 

The original of our sketch received his educa- 
tion in the Union School of Ypsilanti and after 
finishing worked for David Henning in this city, 
from the time he was fourteen until he was seven- 
teen years of age, and then enlisted in Company 
A, First Michigan Cavalry, joining the army in 
October, 1863. He was sent to the regiment at 
Camp Stoneman, near Washington, where they re- 
mained during the winter and in the spring thej' 
went to the block house on the Potomac in order 
to guard the acqueduct near Monocacy .Junction. 
They remained there until the opening of the 
spring campaign, when, May 6, the army crossed 
the Rapidan River to engage in the battle of tlie 
Wilderness. 

Our subject was afterward detailed to Custer's 
Brigade, which included the First, Fifth, Sixth and 
Seventh Regiments of Michigan Cavalry and the 
Twenty-Fifth >.'ew York, and he remained in this 
service until the close of the war, doing a large 
amount of skirmish and cavalry duty. He was in 
the raid that was made on Richmond and was a 
participant the second night of tlie battle of the 
Wilderness, the battle being fought at Yellow 
Tavern. The next fight was at Chickahominy 
Swamp and the following battles were atPamunkie 
River and at old Chuix^h, .June 1, 1864, with Lee's 
cavalry and at Cold Harbor, Trevilian Station. 



Mr. Sh.aflfer's diary chronicles another battle which 
is dated June 12. It states that August 11 the di- 
vision that he was with met the artillery and sev- 
eral were killed; the engagement took place near 
Harper's Ferry. August 16 a battle occurred at 
the Shenandoah in which three hundred Union sol- 
diers became prisoners. August 26 our subject's 
regiment was cut off from the brigade near Sharps- 
burg. August 29 another sharp skirmish occurred 
and Sunday September 4 there was a brisk skirmish 
at Berry ville. September 19 the Union troops 
drove the Confederates to Winchester and took six 
hundred j)risoners. .September 24 a skirmish oc- 
curred near I^uray. October 9 there was a skir- 
mish from the rear and the Union troops succeeded 
in taking a number of prisoners, artillery, etc., and 
our subject appropriated a fine horse; this was the 
battle of Edinburg when Sheridan was but twenty 
miles away. October 13 our subject's regiment 
captured four pieces of artillery and took one hun- 
dred prisoners. October 19 a vehement charge 
was made at Cedar Creek and fifty-three guns were 
captured and a large number of prisoners. He 
continued with Caster's Brigade until the review at 
Washington when they were sent West by boat to 
St. Louis, from Parkersburg, Va., when our sulijcct 
was placed in the marine hospital, from which he 
was discharged August 19, 1865. 

On Mr. Schaffer's return to Ypsilanti after the 
war he became an employe on the Michigan Cen- 
tral Railroad, beginning as a brakeman on a freight 
train and continuing thus for three years and then 
was promoted to the position of freight conductor 
and was thus employed for ten years, at the end 
of which time he was promoted to passenger con- 
ductor and for ten j-ears more held that position. 
On leaving the railroad in 1888 he had put in 
twenty-three years of constant work on the rail- 
road. His last run was from Detroit to Riy City. 
Our subject made Ypsilanti his home during his 
whole connection with the road. Since 1 888 he 
has been engaged in building and at the present 
time is interested in a large amount of real estate 
in the city, he having launched into business just 
in time to get the benefit of the advance prices. 

Mr. Schaffer is a member of the Masonic ord'ir 
and is connected with the Lodge, Chapter and 



PORTRAIT AND lUOGRAPmCAL ALBUM. 



535 



Council. He also belongs to the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen and the Protective Association 
of the Grand Army of the Republic. He w.as 
united in marriage to Miss Catherine Il.all, of 
Ypsilanti, on the 10th of October, 1880. One 
son, William, was born October 10, 1886, is the 
fruit of this union. Our subject was elected in 
1890, as Alderman for the Fourth Ward, wliicli 
position he still holds, and is on the committees on 
Fire Department, Salaries, Supplies and Cemeteries, 
being the favorite on the Democratic ticket. 



ill OHN M. SWEET, who is a native of the 
Empire vState, but has long been a resident 
of Washtenaw County, was born in Sara- 
toga Country, N. Y., January 2(5, 1822, his 
parents, Elthan and Elizabeth (Canfield) Sweet, 
residing there upon a farm, and there our subject 
war reared until he readied liis majority. A dis- 
trict school gave him his educational advantages, 
and these were supplemented b}- attendance for 
two years at a lioarding school. The father was 
unfortunate in having but one leg, as he had lost 
the otlier when young through an encounter witli 
an ox. 

Our subject began life at the age of twenty-one 
as a farmer in Saratoga County. N. Y., and con- 
tinued thus until he reached the age of twenty- 
nine years, living eight years in Monroe County. 
His marriage, took place January 15, 1845, his 
bride being Mary S., daughter of Joseph S. Wood, 
a saddler and harness-maker, of Saratoga County-. 
She was born January 12, 1827, and had five chil- 
dren, namely: William Herbert, who was born 
February 11, 1847, and is engaged in the mercan- 
tile business in Ypsilanti, is an earnest Christian 
and was Superintendent of the Sunday-school for a 
numlierof years; George t)., and George Boardman 
who died in infancy, and Elvira and Joseph Frank- 
lyn who lived to maturity and then died. 

He of whom we write emigrated to Michigan in 
March, 18G3, and at once located upon the site of 



his present home. This property had been some- 
what improved but was in a poor condition and 
he has done a splendid work upon it and has put 
it in a fine condition both as to cultivation and 
building. During all these years he has carried on 
mixed farming and stock growing. A nephew, 
Seward L. Sweet, made his home with him for some 
time but was taken ill and died. 

In political matters Mr. Sweet has taken an in- 
telligent interest and votes the Prohibition ticket 
but has never sought office either in township or 
county. Both he and his wife are members of the 
Baptist Church at Ypsilanti where he has been a 
Deacon and Trustee for the past twenty-five years. 
He has ever been a great worker in church and 
Sunday-school. Mrs. Sweet has been a persistent 
worker in the missionary and Sunday-school work 
and has held for six years the office of Association 
Secretary of foreign missions and has lieen Presi- 
dent for a term of j'ears of the local society and at 
present holds position in the State society on the 
Executive Committee. Their son who resides at Yp- 
sihinti was graduated at the High School there and 
the daughter, Elvira, who died in 1871, was profi- 
cient in music and had been the organist in the 
church long before her death. She was a member 
of the Baptist Church. 



j.}..;..^^. 



•J**$**5**5*' — 



■{••{••{••S' '^® •S'***? 



\ft_-, OMER BRIGGS, the subject of this sketch, 
\¥]\ IS agent for the Standard Oil Company at 
l^^ Ypsilanti, also proprietor of Briggs line of 
\^j drays. He was born in Litchfield Countj% 
Conn., nearNewbury, February 12, 1833. He was 
reared there until the age of twelve years when he 
removed to Gay lord's Bridge. His father, Homer 
Briggs, Sr., was born in Connecticut and was of 
Scotch descent; he was a miller at Newburg, whence 
he removed to Danbury,Conn. He caine to Mich- 
igan and resided with his children until he died in 
Danville, Ingham Count3', at the age of seventy 
yeai-s. His mother, Lucy Hollister, was born in 
Connecticut and died there. Eight children were 
born to her — five girls and three lioys. Our subject 



536 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



is the fourth horn to liis parents. He was reared 
near Xewburg where he staid until he was twelve 
years old. His scliool advantages were quite lim- 
ited; he removed from Newburg to an uncle Briggs 
at Ga3'lord's Bridge, where he was keeper of a res- 
taurant, in which our suliject worked, and he also 
learned the shoemaker's trade. He came to Miehi- 
gair in 1853, settling in AVilliamsville, Livingston 
County, where he and liis brother bought eighty 
acres of land, cleared and sold it, then worked at va- 
rious businesses. In 18.55, he came to Dexter, this 
county, and engaged in the manufacture of shoes. 
In 1861 he came to Ypsilanti and was employed 
in the dray business, beginning with one drav and 
now running three. 

In 1860 our subject began the delivery of oil 
for tlie Bloomfield Oil Company of Jackson. In 
1889 he became tlie agent for the Standard Oil 
Companj- which took its place. He handles thou- 
sands of gallons of oil, bottled petroleum oil and 
gasoline. He owns his residence on Washington 
and Huron Streets. He was married in Ypsilanti 
to MissLovina Brower who was born in Michigan. 
He was formerly a memlier of the Odd Fellows 
fraternity, but is not now. His wife is a member 
of the Baptist Church. In his political views Mr. 
Briggs is a Republican. He is a quiet, reserved 
gentleman and is well liked by all with whom he 
comes in contact. 



ERASTUS S. COOPER. The beautiful home 
owned b}' tlie gentleman whose name is at 
the head of tliis sketch, is located on sec- 
tion 31, Sylvan Township. His farm comprises 
one hundred and seventy-three and tsvo-thii'ds 
acres, and is an ideal rural abode. On another 
page appears a view of the house, which is modern 
in its construction and conveniences, and seems 
made for the" enjoyment of ideal comfort. The 
barns are capacious and sightly, and the lay of the 
land is such as to make tlie wliole place as attract- 
ive as can be desired. Mr. Cooper takes pride in 
raising fine-wool sheep, raanj" of his animals being 
registered. He was one of the first to introduce 



Short-horn cattle in his section of the country 
and is now actively engaged in raising them, hav- 
ing taken many prizes with his fine animals. 

Mr. Cooper was bcrn May 1, 1836, and his birth 
country Canada. He is a son of Edmund and 
Hannah (Hemmingway) C'oopei', natives of New 
York. The father was an extensive farmer in the 
Dominion of Canada, and was a pioneer in Onta- 
rio County. They lived and died in Canada, the 
mother's decease taking place in 1844, and the 
father p.assing away in 1858. They were devoted 
Christian people of high manners and morals and 
life-long members of the Christian C'hurdi, of 
which the father was an Elder for many years. 

Mr. Cooper, Sr., w:is one of the organizers of 
the Ontario Bank, and also a large stockholder. 
He was a prominent and progressive member of 
social and commercial life in the locality in which 
he lived. Of the family of eight children born to 
the parents only two are now living, they being 
our subject and Dr. Aaron W. Cooper, of Fowler- 
ville, Livingston County, this State. After the 
death of our subject's mother his father again 
married, the lady of his choice being Miss Phoebe 
E. H. French, of Oshawa, Canada. By this union 
there were three children, one of whom is now 
living, a son, who is known as Elgin Cooper, and 
now a resident of Oshawa. The mother is now liv- 
ing with this son. 

Erastus S. Cooper received very good educa- 
tional advantages at Oshawa Union School, where 
he was graduated at the age of twenty- two years. 
Prior to that, however, he had worked in a print- 
ing office for three years. He was reared as a 
farmer boy, and after finishing his education lie 
returned to the home farm, where he remained for 
two years. He then sold his interest in the farm 
and came to Michigan, locating in this township 
and soon purchasing the place whereon he now 
lives. He has made upon it all the improvements 
which have made it unquestionably one of the finest 
farms in the locality. 

An intelligent and thoughtful man, Mr. Cooper 
is well fitted to have charge of the local legisla- 
tion, and has been appointed to various offices. 
He has been Justice of the Peace, Supervisor and 
Road Commissioner, besides holding various other 




RESIDENCE OF ERASTUS 3 COOPER, SEC.3!. SYLVAN TP.WASHTENAW CO.WUCH. 




RESlDEr:CLL^ '..^.l;;.,.-! APR1LL,SEC.3^.,5CI0 TR.WASHTENAW CO., MICH. 



PORTRAIT AJSTD BTOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



539 



niiiKir oflices. For five years he rented liis place 
and moved to Detroit, were he was engaged in 
eommereial life for two yeais. He then went to 
East Saginaw and engaged the wholesale liquor 
liusincss for three years, the business being eon- 
ducted under the firm name of O. B. Cook & Co. 
After that our subject returned to his place, and 
has since made it his home. 

The marriage of Mr. Cooper was solemnized 
December .31, 18.57, when he was made one with 
Miss Lydia A. Wheaton, of Eaton County, Mich. 
She is a daughter of Robert and Mary A.Wlieaton. 
Six children have been given to the care and 
guidance of our subject and his wife — Harold, who 
was born in 1858, and died in 1885; he was mar- 
ried to Miss E^stella Harmon and left his widow 
one child — Hallic. Stanley married Lotta Curtis, 
of (irass l^ake Township; they are the parents of 
three children — Lydia, Katie, and Otis. Loraine is 
married and is one of the firm of O. B. Cook & 
Co. in the wholesale liquor business. Ralph mar- 
ried Ida Knickerbocker; one child, Zoa has come 
to them. They live in Fishville, Jackson County. 
Kate married Conrad Bedient, a farmer in Sanilac 
County, this State. The youngest son is Hector. 
Mrs. Cooper died in 1883 and was interred at 
(irass Lake. She was an accomplished lady of 
high mental attainments and was a graduate of 
Charlotte High School, this State. 

Mr. Cooper contracted a second marriage, his 
liride being Miss ¥A\a. Gage of Sylvan Township, 
this county; she is a daughter of Reuben and 
Fanny Gage. Two children have been the result 
of this union — Ph(ebe and Florence. Our subject 
is a Republican and a Ma.son and an acknowledged 
leader in every enterprise that promises to be to 
the advantage of the count\-. 



<| I^ILIJA.M APRILL. Among the (ierman- 
\/sJ/i ^^'ii^'"''-''''" families of Scio Township, none 
WW is better known for earnest industry and 
devotion to duty than that which is represented by 
the name at the head of this paragraph. Our sub- 
ject was born on his father's homestead which is 



situated on section 32, May 2G, 1836. His father, 
.lacol). mari'ied INIagdalena Schnyder, in New York, 
in 1832, having- come to the United States three 
years earlier when he was twenty-one years old. 
During that time he had served an apprenticeship 
to the shoemaker's trade at the village of Schuyler, 
in Herkimer C'ounty. His wife had a brother Mar- 
tin Schnyder, who had come to ]\Iichig.an,and they 
followed him hither. 

When they came to Michigan Mr. Aprill had ac- 
cumulated about |!100, although he had been in 
debt when he came to this country, and his wife 
saved lildO from lier wages during her time of ser- 
vice, although they were only seventy-five cents a 
week. She was born in Germany, and came here 
in her early girlhood. Fler brother, M. Schnyder, 
has three daughters, one of whom is the wife of J. 
H. Sperry. In July. 1831, our subject's Tather se- 
cured one hundred and four acres of Government 
land, and began improvements by building a log 
cabin. He at once set to work at his trade, ex- 
changing work With the neighbors, and as there was 
but one shoemaker in Ann Arbor, and none in the 
country west of that city, he hail a good run of cus- 
tom. His wife assisted at the bench, doing the sew- 
ing for him and he followed the trade for fifteen 
years. Men would come ten miles in those days to 
get their boots soled, .and he had all the work that 
he could do. although he frequently worked all 
night. 

Mr. Aprill bought up more land and made a farm 
of about three hundred and forty acres, buying at 
f 16 an iicre, and selling at $9ti. He continued to 
live on the old farm until June 1, 1889, milking 
fifty-eight years of residence there and an equal 
length of married life as his faithful and devoted 
wife pa.ssed from earth only nine weeks before his 
own demise. 

Jacob Aprill. Sr., the grandfather of our subject 
came from Germany about the year 1842, and made 
his home here until his death at the .age of eighty- 
eight. He had but the one son, Jacob, and his step- 
sister who came over with him and died here some 
four or five years ago at an advanced .age, having 
made her home with her step-brother, for man.v 
years. Five of the children granted to Jacob 
April!, (lied in cliiidhood. One s<m, .lacob, who 



540 



PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



died in September, 1880, at the age of thirt^v-seven, 
left a widow and family, wlio reside near Williams- 
ton on a farm. One daughter, Mary, died April 
3, 1860. when a young lady of nineteen, and the 
remaining members of the family are: William 
George, who lives on the old homestead; and 
Louisa, who makes her home with him. 

Our subject remained at home until he was fully 
twent_v-five years old. and was married April 4, 
1861, to Miss Mary Keck, daugliter of ]Mariin Keck, 
of Scio, who had come from Germany when she 
was about seventeen years of age. Her father died 
here some ten years since on section 33, and his 
son, Martin, still lives on tiie old homestead. An- 
other son. Michael Keck, died last fall. 

After marriage ]Mr. Aprill bought land on sec- 
tion 33, and on this ninety-five acres he lived for 
twenty-two years. He has since added to it until 
he had at one time five hundred acres, one hun- 
dred and forty of which he has now given to his 
son, and he still keeps fully three hundred and 
twenty acres. He keeps sheep, «attle and other 
stock sufficient for farm purposes. In 1883 he built 
the house and barn, a view of which may be seen 
elsewhere. 

Our subject was Township Treasurer when twen- 
ty-one years of age. and served for two terms. He 
has since filled the Offices of Justice of the Peace 
and Highway Commissioner, and was Superinten- 
dent of the Poor for six years, filling that office 
until 1888. Although his sympathies are with the 
Democratic part}', he is not much of a politician, 
as he always looks to the fitness of a man for the 
office, rather than to the dictum of the party leaders. 
His father's political views agreed with his. He is 
ever helpful in church work, and is a member of 
the German Lutheran Cliurch, and the Fair Asso- 
ciation finds an active worker in him. Mr. Aprill 
has met with heavy reverses, and the loss of thou- 
sands of dollars through the perfidy of others 
whom he had assisted and befriended, yet he stands 
firm as a rock, and is to-day one of the ablest men 
in the county. He has a valuable block of store 
buildings in Ann Arbor which brings in a satisfac- 
tory revenue, and his eveiy enterprise has been suc- 
cessful. 

The beautiful and tasteful home of our subject 



is the center of a delightful family life, and the 
children who have lieen granted to him and his good 
wife are as follows: Jacob P., William. John M.. 
Emanuel, Gustaf Edward, Adolph. Mary. Lydia L.. 
Emma G., Caroline and George Robert. John and 
George have passed from earth; Jacob married 
Caroline Staebler, and lives near his father; Will- 
iam married Mary Staebler, and carries on the 
Staebler farm of ninety-three acres; the remaining 
children are still beneath the parental roof. 



^^mM-^^^m^m 



^m^ii£^= 



ROF. GEORGE FOSTER KEY. The able 
assistant in the mathematical department of 
the State Normal School, is the gentleman 
_ whose name is at the head of this sketch. 
He held th(^ position above referred to for seven 
years, but at the close of the term in June, 1891, 
he severed his connection with the Normal School 
in order to pursue a course of study in electrical 
engineering in the L'niversity of Michigan at Ann 
Arbor. Prof. Key is a native of England, having 
been born in Horncastle, Lincolnshii-e, October 13. 
1860. He is a son of John and Maria Key. 

Our subject was orphaned while a little lad, his 
father dying when he was four years old and his 
mother the following year. At the age of eleven 
George came to Ypsilanti and worked for four 
years in the Peninsular paper niill and at the ex- 
piration of that time entered the Normal School 
with the determination to pursue the scientific 
course. This he did, continuing his studies with 
great honor to himself, and on graduating in 1883, 
he was tendered a position as instructor in math- 
ematics in his alma mater, which he accej)ted. The 
year after that he entered the University and pur- 
sued the stud}- of Civil Engineering, but in 1885 
he returned to the Normal School and continued 
there until the present time. He was advanced 
gradually from the position of tutor to the assistant 
professorship in mathematics in 1887, Prof. Bel- 
lows being the incumbent in full of the chair. 

During the time that Prof. Kej- has been engag- 
ed in the Normal he has never relinquished the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



541 



pursuit of his own studies, all of which have tend- 
ed toward the engineering degree and it is his ex- 
pectation now to i-ontinue in the University until 
he has acquired the envied title. The facts as 
above stated will show witliout au_y embellishment 
with wliat ambition and determination our subject 
lias adhered to his purpose to become an educated 
man. He has been indefatigable in his efforts and 
this fact, combined with the fine reputation which 
he has made both as a scholar and a teacher, should 
encourage the man_y young people who are desir- 
ous of progressing, but are limited as to meajis. 
Prof. Key was an orphan and without means, but 
by working and waiting and mounting step by 
step he has risen to his present honored position. 

Socially the original of our sketch is a member 
of the Masonic order, belonging to the Lodge, 
Chapter and Council of Ypsilanti and the Com- 
raandery at Ann Arbor, which he entered in 1889. 
He has been Junior Warden twice. Our subject 
has taken unto himself a life companion, his bride 
being Miss Caroline Whitlemore Hawkins. 

Prof. Key is the owner of a fine librar\-. Per- 
haps its most valuable works are on the specialty 
to which our subject has devoted himself — that of 
mathematics — but he also possesses a fine collection 
of the best standard English authors. Among the 
books which he prizes is found UeMorgan's " Cal- 
culus," which is very rare and seldom found in 
private libraries. Besides its value to our subject, 
it has an intrinsic value of at least $15 per volume. 
One also finds Price on " Infinitesimal Calculus " 
and three works by Frost, Newton's Priucipia and 
Frost's Solid Geometry. These last-named works 
are also very rarely found in private libraries. He 
has moreover two French works by Serret and 
Biot, the first being " Traite D' Astrononomie 
Physique " in five volumes and a translation of 
Plato. Jlr. Key is fully able to appreciate these 
rare works, as he himself is a French student. He 
also possesses a bibliological curiosity in the work 
" Methods of Fluxions and Infinite Series with its 
application to geometry and curved lines," by the 
inventor Sir Isaac Newton, Kl, translated by John 
Colson in 1736, and published the same year. It 
is a remarkalily well-kept volume. He also has 
the works of Edmund (iuiiter. that contains the 



description of the Sector Cross Staff. It was pub- 
lished in 1653, and the much-used and old phrase 
" according to Gunter " originated in it. His 
whole library is not, however, taken up by these 
rare old volumes that the majority of people would 
find dull and uninteresting, having besides the 
standard English writers and many modern works 
of fiction. He has five volumes of Latin works on 
mathematics. He also has Nicholas Nickelby of 
the first edition with illustrations by Phiz, which 
in cloth cost him 115. Prof. Key has made a study 
of architecture and during his spare time has done 
considerable work in that line. 



^>^^<^^-^ 



^^p^EORGI 
^^^ is one 



GEORGE H. MITCHELL, the owner of a fine 
located on section 28, Lima Township, 
one of the native-born citizens of this 
county, who have contributed so largely to its de- 
veloimient. His father, John Mitchell, was a na- 
tive of Ireland, but of Scotch descent, and was an 
infant when he was brought by his parents to this 
country. He w.as the oldest in a family of four 
sons and three daughters. At the age of twenty- 
eight he went to New Orleans and worked at his 
trade of a carpenter. He was married to a Miss 
Dean, who died leaving two children, Aaron D. 
and William D., both deceased. Afterward Mr. 
Mitchell married Miss Sherwood, of Seneca County. 
N. Y., and two children were born of this union. 
John and Rebecca. 

His wife d3'ing after he came to Michigan in 
1831, Mr. Mitchell was again married, choosing as 
his wife Emeline E. Hurlbut, a native of Connecti- 
cut, and the following is the record of the children 
born of this union: Mary, deceased; Hannah L.; 
Salla A., the widow of Byron A. Crane, and ;i 
teacher in Port Huron; Eliza, a student in the medi- 
cal dispensary of Boston, and a graduate of the 
medical department of the University of Michigan 
in the Class of '78, now enjoying an extensive 
practice in Kansas Cit}', where she has lK*n located 
since 1878, and George H., the subject of this 
sketch. In IHiil the father of this family located 



r)42 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPinCAL ALBUM. 



CPU two hundred acres of Government land in Lima 
Towiiship, which he owned until death, and which 
i;< now owned by our subject. .Jolin Mitchell and 
liis wife were members of the Congregational 
Church, and lie was a Republican. He died in 1873, 
and in the same hour of his decease, his wife also 
passed awaj'. 

(^eorge II. Mitchell was born February 27, 1848, 
in Lima Township, upon the farm which he now 
owns. He received a good education, attending 
High School at Ann Arbor, and graduating from 
the Eastern Business College (Xew York) in 1876. 
In 1880 he married Emma L., the daughter of 
Stephen Easton, a native of New Jersev. In an 
earlj- day 3Ir. Plaston removed to Xew York, where 
he married 3Iary Field, a native of New York, and 
three ciiildren were born to them. The father died 
in 1873, in the Empire State, and the mother mar- 
ried again in 1876, when she became the wife of 
.loseph Durand. They settled in Sylvan Town- 
ship, where Mr. Durand died in 18.S7: the widow 
now resides in Chelsea. 

Socially, Mr. Mitchell is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, belonging to Chelsea Blue Lodge, No. 
156, and tlie Chapter at Grass Lake. He has al- 
ways lieen an active Republican, and has served as 
Township Treasurer one term and School Inspector 
two years. Mrs. Mitchell belongs to the Presby- 
terian Church. 



w 



REUBEN QUEAL. Washtenaw County is 
conspicuous for its magnificent farms tliat 
•i \V are faultless in way of management and tlie 
order in which they are kept. Those in 
Webster Township are especially advantageously 
located, the land being rolling and well-watered, 
fertile and productive. No one is to be more com- 
l>limented on the perfect method and order with 
which their agricultural affairs are conducted than 
lie whose name is above. He is a farmer and 
stock-raiser on section 28, where he has a fine 
home, the house being commodious and attractive, 



with capacious and well-filled barns and granaries. 
The fields are wide spreading and pi'oductive. Mr. 
Queal was born in Pennsylvania, in 1825. 

Mr. Queal is a son of Henry JI. and Eliza (Ben- 
nett) Queal, both natives of the Empire State. 
The former was born September 27, 1801, and died 
July 24, 1886. In 1834 our subject's parents 
came to AVashtenaw County and built themselves 
a home in the then Territorj'. Numbered among 
the earliest settlers as a man of fine judgment and 
having the confidence of all his neighbors, he 
became an influential and leading citizen in the 
community, and of high standing among his 
neighbors, all of whom were his friends. Three 
years after coming to Michigan, the elder Mr. 
Queal suffered the loss of his life companion and 
from that time his two daughters were his special 
care and comfort, thej' being the house-keepers for 
him for years. He survived his wife nearly half a 
century but her memory w.as cherislied to such an 
extent that none other ever took her place in his 
affection. The family that came to this couple 
were named as follows: Dora died April 15, 1850 
at the age of fourteen; George died March 31, 1856 
at the age of twenty-three; Reuben is he whose 
name is at the head of this sketch; Jane is now 
Mrs. Nicholas Van Nichols, of Webster and Adelia 
is Mrs. John Kenny, of Webster. 

Our subject was but ten years of age when his 
father came to this State and from that time to 
the present has successfully followed the occupa- 
tion of farming in this vicinity. He is now the 
owner of one hundred and twenty acres of richly 
cultivated land that bears the best of improve- 
ments. Mr. Queal's marriage took place in 1856, 
when he was united in marriage to Miss Laura 
Kinney, a native of Vermont, who was born in 
August, 1827. Her parents were among the first 
settlers of the county, coming here in 1819. Mrs. 
Kinney died while making her home with her 
daughter, February 2, 1886, at the age of ninetj'- 
four }-ears. She was a daughter of Dr. John 
Campbell and was born at Poultne3^ Vt. February 
21, 1792. Her marriage with Mr. Kinney took 
place January 12, 1814. 

Our subject and his wife are the parents of four 
children who have now reached years of manhood 



PORTRArr AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



643 



and wonianliood and are intelligent and capable 
additions to society. The eldest is Nellie who be- 
came Mrs. William Parson; Kate married K. H. 
Cadm; Henry M. took to wife Miss Kate Ball and 
is a farmer in Hamburg Township, Livingston 
County; Dorr is now a J'ouug man of twenty-six, 
having been born in July, 1865; he is now the 
manager of his father's farm and enjoys to a plea- 
sing degree the respect and confidence of the 
people who know him. 



^m\^- 



ON. BENJAMIN WHEDON W AITE. Th is 
retired farmer who now resides in Dexter 
was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., Oct- 
ober 13, 1811. His father, Benjamin, was 
a native of New York and his great grandfather, 
the Rev. Benjamin Waite, was a Baptist minister 
of English birth who came to this country at an 
early day. The father of our subject served in 
the Home Guards during the AVar of 1812 and his 
mother, whose maiden name was Polly Whedon, 
was born in Vermont and there spent her days 
until her marriage. 

Our subject is the second in a family of live 
who lived to maturity and three of them are now 
living, one brotlier now making his home in Cold- 
water, although he formerly resided iu "Washtenaw 
County, and one sister, Emeline J., a maiden lady, 
is living with our subject and has long lieen ident- 
ified with Washtenaw County. 

The father died iu 1821 while yet a young man 
and the widow and family lived iu Aurelius, N.Y., 
until 1839. Benjamin had married ujion the 24th 
of Ma}', 1834, and in 1837 as his wife's friends 
had come to Michigan he followed here and after 
remaining for a short time returned and sold out 
his interest in the East and in September, 1839, 
brought hither the entire family, consisting of 
mother, two sisters, two brothers, liis wife and two 
children. He secured one hundred and forty 
acres of new land and began to build a liome, liv- 
ing on the farm until 1866 since which he has 
made his home in the city. He added to his pro- 



perty from time to time until it comprised two 
hundred and forty-eight acres. His mother lived 
until 1862, when she passed away, having complet- 
ed seventy-three years of faithful and devoted life. 

The wife of our subject bore the maiden name 
of Lois Ann Hicks and she was born in Cayuga 
County, N. Y., January 26, 1814. Her parents, 
Wheaton and Lois (Cole) Hicks, were both of 
Rhode Island birth and were Baptists in their reli- 
gious belief. The family of our subject consisted of 
five children, namelj' : Annetta H, Benjamin W., 
Jr., Clay, Wirt, and Delia. Annetta is the widow 
of Prof. Watson, the noted astronomer. B. W. 
lives in Grand Rapids and Wirt in Colfax, Wash. 
Delia is Mrs. Dr. T. J. Ritter of Dexter, and Clay 
died in childhood. 

For four years Mr. Waite was president of AYash- 
tenaw County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, 
and gave to this corporation liis personal atten- 
tion. He was Superintendent of the Poor of this 
county for twent^'-two years, and was devoted in 
his care for the unfortunates. In his politic- 
al views he is in sympatliy with the Republican 
party which he has served faithfully in important 
stations having been a member of the Legislature 
in 1848 and 1849 and a member of the Constitu- 
tional Convention in 1850. It was on the Whig 
ticket that he was elected to both of these bodies 
and previous to that he had been Supervisor for 
eight years. At the time of the formation of the 
Republican party he supported that movement and 
although he was made a delegate to the convention 
at Jackson he failed to attend it. He is a Baptist 
in his faith although not a member of any church, 
but sympathizes witli his wife in her religious 
connection. 



^^^jUSTAVE A. DE FRIES. He whose name is 
if ^W' **' *^^® ^^^^^^ °^ ^'^'^ sketch is the contractor 
^^fi and superintendent of the finishing depart- 
ment of the Michigan Furniture Company, which 
is located at Ann Arbor. Mr. DeFries is a native 
of Switzerland, the country that ]ir<>duces the fin- 



544 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



est skilled workmen in woods. He is well fitted 
for the responsible position th.at he holds, being an 
.irtist in his line as well as a practical, technical 
workman. He was born April 27, 1848. and is a 
son of Jacob and Elizalietli DeFries. The father 
died when oui- subject was l)ut four years old, hence 
the lad was made self-responsible at an early age. 

Gustavo was the second youngest of four chil- 
dren born to his parents. He entered school in his 
native land when five years old, leaving the High 
School when eighteen years of age, at which time 
he was graduated. His father was a merchant and 
his business affairs were left in good shape at the 
time of his death, so that his family was not ham- 
pered for pecuniary resoui'ces. 

Soon after leaving the High School our subject 
sailed for the United States on a visit, not intend- 
ing at that time to locale, being at the time nine- 
teen years of age. He landed in New York City 
and spent some little time in visiting various por- 
tions of the East and South, going in the latter 
direction as far as Memphis, Tenn., where he had a 
brother, who is still residing there. After spend- 
ing some time there he came to Detroit, thence 
visited Saginaw and other cities of the North and 
finally made a tour through Canada. After pros- 
pecting the country thus thoroughly, our subject 
determined to locate in Ann Arbor, believing it to 
be as promising a business point as any city he has 
seen. He came here in 1868 and has since made it 
his home and place of business. 

On first settling in this city Mr. DeFries went to 
work for John Keck ck Co., wlio were engaged in 
the manufacture of furniture. He became foreman 
of the finishing department and held that position 
until it was made a stock company in 1881, when 
our subject became a stockholder and was given 
control of the purchase of material, and has con- 
trol of the finishing department. From twenty to 
thirty workmen are engaged in the different 
departments and are under his superintendence. 

The furniture turned out by the Michig.in Com- 
pany is of fine and artistic designs and very supe- 
rior finish, and although the institution is still 
young, it is one of the principal industries of Ann 
Arbor. In June, 1868, the original of our sketch 
was united in marriage to Miss Dora Spoehr, of 



Ann Arbor. She is a daughter of Michael and 
Mary Spoehr, her parents being natives of (Termauj-. 
Mr. and Mrs. DeFries have been very happy in 
their marital life. The}' are the parents of six 
children, tliere being three sons and three daugh- 
ters. Edward J., the eldest son, is already of as.sist- 
ance to his father in the factory. The others are 
Helen, Charlie A., Otillie, Dora and William. 

Our subject and his wife are associated in tlieir 
religious belief with the members of the Lutheran 
Church, and, as usual, their church rehitions gov- 
ern to a great extent their entire social relations. 
The home of our subject is a very beautiful one, 
located on the corner of AVilliam Street and Fourth 
Avenue. It is a palatial brick residence, which is 
attractive without and charming within. Here is 
dispensed a most pleasing hospitality to the friends 
and intimates of the family. 



/~ 



'iT SAAC P. SAVERY. Prominent in agricult- 
II uial and church circles and in the social orders 
/ii is he of whom we write, who resides on section 
12, Lima Township, where he carries on general 
farming, making Merino sheep a specialty. His 
father was Isaac Saveiy, a native of Massachusetts. 
Isaac P. Savcry was born October 28, 1838. in 
the State of Massaciiusetts, and was ten years old 
when the family removed to New Y'ork. and there 
remained until 18.59 when he came to Washtenaw 
County, which' has since been his home. He was 
married in New York, November 22, 1851, to 
Mary Blakesl.y, a daughter of Daniel Blakesly. 

Seven children have blessed the home of Mr. 
and Mrs. Savery, namely: Alice J., Libby A., Cora 
B., Mary G., George I., Myrtie M. and Ivie A. and 
they have had the inexpressible grief of laying 
away in the grave three of this number, Alice, 
Cora and Mary. It was in 1859 Mr. Savery came 
to this county and has lived on the farm where he 
at present resides ever since. 

The Baptist Church receives the active co-ojiera- 
tion of JVIr. and Mrs. Saverv and some years ago 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



545 



Y 



their son George and daughter Mary united with 
them in the communion of this body. From the 
time of the organization of tlie Republican party, 
our subject has been one of its earnest members 
and workers. In every department of life this 
family does its share in forwarding the interests of 
the community and promoting the well being of 
all with whom thev have to do. 



.4.^^.*..^.=^=.^ 



r^ 



\T/ SAAC BISBEE was born in Springfield Town- 
11] ship, Windsor Countj-, Vt., .January 1, 1813, 
(1\ his parents being Elisha and Mary (Grout) 
Bisliee. In the early settlement of the Northwest- 
ern Territory his maternal grandfather, Asa Grout, 
when a child was captured by the Indians, and 
with a brother and their mother was carried into 
Canada, where he was held three or four years a 
l)risoner. The original ancestor of the family in 
America was Thomas Bisbee, who came to Plymouth 
Rock a few years after the landing of the "May- 
flower." Elisha Bisbee served through the War of 
1812, and was given a Captain's commission. 

Isaac Bisbee was the seventh among thirteen 
children who grew to maturity. His father died 
on the old homestead about 1841; his mother sur- 
vived to see all her children married and settled in 
homes of their own, and died about 1872. Of the 
family six are now living. Our subject remained 
at home until he was twenty years old, and in his 
youth learned the trades of a carpenter and mill- 
wright. In 1834, with his brother Aaron, he came 
to Michigan, settling in Ann Arbor and following 
his trade there until 1843. At times he found em- 
ployment in a machine shop. In 1843 he secured 
some land wluch he at once commenced to im- 
prove. He now owns one hundred and twenty 
acres of good land, and devotes his attention closely 
to general farming. He has served the people in 
various public capacities, filling the office of .Justice 
of the Peace for eighteen years, and holding other 
local positions. 

October 29, 183.5, Mr. Bisbee w.as married to 
Miss Amanda, the daughter of Phincas Fox, who 



came to New York in 1831, and settled on land ad- 
joining the Bisbee farm. He resided in this county 
until 1840, removing then to Ingham County, 
where he died. Mrs. Bisbee was born in Penn Yan 
N. Y., on the 13th of November, 1815, and died 
February 25, 1891, in her seventy-sixth year. 
She was a woman of energy and strong consti- 
tution, and her death was sudden, occurring at 
niglit after she had retired in her usual health. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bisbee had a family of six children, 
viz: Isadore, now Mrs. H. N. Doty; Adeline, wife 
of Orlando Lathrop, of Ann Arbor; Benjamin, of 
Seward County, Kan.; Albert, who resides in Tus- 
cola County; Orson, who makes his home in An- 
trim County; and Edwin, who is engaged in farm- 
ing. Politically, Mr. Bisbee is a Republican, and 
has served as a delegate to county and local con- 
A'entions. 



■S] OSIAH CHILDS. Among the representative 
venerable and octogenarian citizens of Wash- 
tenaw County, and one who is a splendid 

^ type of the enterprise, industry and self re- 
liance of the early Michigan pioneer, we are pleased 
to introduce to our readers the subject of this 
sketch. Mr. Childs is a native of Merrimac 
County, N. H., and was born on the 1st of March, 
1811. He is a son of Josiah and Abigail (Ward) 
Childs. His parents were natives of his own na- 
tive State. He was reared to manhood in the 
place. where lie was born, and from early boy- 
hood has been engaged in farming. He received a 
common-school education, and for a short time at- 
tended the academy. In 1836 he emigrated to 
Jlichigan, remaining here for three years, and then 
returned to his home. 

Mr. Childs was married May 16, 1843, to Miss 
Louisa Toombs, a native of Massachusetts, and 
born in April, 1811. They took up the earnest 
question of life together and as the years went by 
a family grew up about them of whom four 
are living at the present time. They are Ad- 
dison, Anna G., Josiah S. and Rosella. Addison is 



546 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



at the present time residing in Lansing. Mich.; he 
.served as a private in the Civil War. Anna (J. is 
the wife of David Horner, of Tuscola County, this 
State; Josiah S. lives in this vieinitv; Rosella is 
the wife of Prof. D. W. Duttield, and an educator 
of much prominence. Mrs. Duttield is an accom- 
plished musician, and has been for some this a 
teacher in that branch of art. 

In 1843 our subject with his wife left New Hamp- 
shire, and set out for Michigan. They came to 
Buffalo by rail and thence came by wa}' of the 
lakes to Detroit, and from that point, by rail to 
Washtenaw County. In his first trip several years 
previous, Mr. C'hilds traveled from New Hamp- 
shire to Troy, N. Y. bv stage over the Green Moun- 
tains. From there he proceeded in the same way 
to Schenectady, N. Y., and thence came to Buffalo 
by way of the Erie Canal, the trip oecuping four- 
teen days. From Buffalo he proceeded to his des- 
tination by way of the lakes, landing at Detroit 
and thence coming to this county by team. 

In 1843 our subject settled on section 1.5, Au- 
gusta Township, and has here resided ever since. 
He loca'.ed in the woods, putting up a small frame 
house in which he and his wife resided for several 
j'ears. He early identified himself with the gov- 
ernmental interests of the localitv and served for 
two terms as Treasurer of Augusta Township, and 
for seventeen years in succession he filled the ofUce 
of Justic of the Peace. He has witnessed the 
growth of the country from primitive wildness to 
its present flourishing agricultural condition. He 
well remembers allaying the fears of his young wife 
aroused by the howling of the wolves at not so 
great a distance from their little home. Deer and 
other wild game abounded in the woods. 

Our subject now owns seventy acres of land 
which he conducts still with great discretion. When 
he came to Michigan he was the victim of poor 
health and the climate did much for him, hence he 
concluded to cast his fortune with the settlers of 
the AVolverine State. A man of natural piety. 
Mr. Childs has been a ineml)er of the Congrega- 
tional Church for many years, and when the com- 
munity was without a pastor, he used to read 
sermons and so filled the vacancy as well as possible 
and has ahva\s taken an active interest in cliurch 



work. Mr. Childs was Superintendent of the fii-st 
Sunday-school in this locality, and has served as 
Deacon of his church since the organization of that 
body. 

Ever observant of all the amenities consistent 
with their sphere and position in life, our subject 
and his wife have been noted for years for their 
generosity and largeness of heart. They have been 
prudent and wisely economical in their manner of 
living, and now are enabled to enjoy the fruits of 
their early labor and of a life well spent. The 
original of our sketch is a Prohibitionist m his 
political following. Before the war he was a Whig 
but has kept pace with the advanced ideas of the 
day and grows accordingly. Beginning here with- 
out means and in fact with very little more than 
the encouragement and love of his young wife, 
he is to be congratulated that in his old age he can 
enjoy the comforts to be obtained by a competency. 
He is a member of a remarkable family, all of whom 
have attained high positions in social and political 
life. The biographies of his two brothers may be 
found in another part of this volume. 



\I? KA CAMP, deceased. This gentleman who 
came to Washtenaw County about the year 
1826, and was for many years identified with 
every worthy interest of the county, was born in 
Otsego, N. Y., in the closing year of the last cen- 
tury. Here he grew to mature years and married 
!Maiy, daughter of Richard Godfrey, who had been 
born near Batavia, N. Y. Their marriage totik 
place about the year 1822, and some four years af- 
terward the young couple migrated to the West. 

Mr. Camp was one in a family of six children, 
and he and his wife became the heads of a house- 
hold of four, two of whom were born in New York 
and two in Michigan. Hiram married Miss Frances 
Bacon, and they have one son and three daughters: 
Mary became the wife of Cicero Millington, but 
her married life was cut short by death; Elvira be- 
came the wife of Sears 51. Loveridge. and resided 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



547 



for several years in Yi)silanti, whei'e Mr. Loveridge 
was at that time engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness. He sold out his interest therein and engaged 
in life insurance, which he followed until the time 
of his death, having in the meantime removed to 
Pittsburg, where he died in 1878. They had four 
children who grew to maturity. Mr. Camp's young- 
est child was Joel, who went to California when a 
young man, and died soon after reaching that 
State. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Loveridge 
are: Mar_y Louise, who married Samuel M. Brown, 
of Whitford. and died leaving two children. Hat- 
tie M. and Howard; Carrie A., Hattie M., and Joel 
K., who have all died, the latter being drowned at 
Pittsburg, at the age of thirteen. 

Mr. Camp was an honorable, hard working man, 
and as he came here among the first settlers he ex- 
perienced all the hardships to which a pioneer life 
is subject. He died in 1863 at his home in Su- 
perior Township, where he had lived for thirty- 
nine vears. 



t-^ OX. CHARLES WOODRUFF, editor of the 
)j) Ypsilanti Sentitiel, was born in Seneca 
y County, N. Y., February 7, 1816, his par- 
j) ents being Benjamin and Freelove (San- 
ford) Woodruff. In common with the young men 
of that day he learned a trade — tailoring — after a 
meager education .at the district school. In 1836 
his parents moved to the then wild Territory of 
Michigan, settling in Pittsfield Township, at what 
is known as Carpenter's Corners, where they 
bought eighty acres upon which they resided until 
the spring of 1865. Besides the subject of our 
sketch, the family consisted of four boys : Benj- 
amin F., a farmer living in the southern part of 
Wayne County ; Henry, of Saginaw County, who 
was a Captain of Infantry in the Rebellion, and 
has since seived as Sheriff of Saginaw County, and 
as Representative and Senator in the legislature 
from the Clare County districts; Peter D. of Ann Ar- 
bor; and Dr. Frank Woodruff' (deceased) of Detroit. 
The first vi'iit made by Charles W(»)<lruff Ui 



Michigan was in tlie spring of 183(1. at which time 
the city of Ypsilanti was a siiiail village. He 
earned the means to complete his education by his 
needle, graduating in 1842 fr(mi Allegheny College, 
Meadville, Pa. Returning to Ypsilanti, he was 
variously employed until, in 1844, he purchased 
the Ypsilanti Sentinel, a newspaper established in 
December of the previous year by Gen. Jolin Van 
Fossen, and has continuously conducted the paper 
ever since, the Sentinel being the oldest paper in 
Michigan under one management. 

Mr. Woodruff' has always bceu a stanch friend 
of higher education, and may justly be credited 
with a large share in the creation of the existing 
school S3'Stem of Michigan. In the early years of 
his residence in Ypsilanti he conducted an ac- 
ademical school, which led to the establishment of 
the Ypsilanti Union Seminary, the pioneer of the 
graded schools of the State, and during almost the 
entire life of the latter institution he has been an 
earnest, active member of the Board of Education, 
holding at the present time the position of Secre- 
tary. 

Tliat he has been a prominent factor in the ui)- 
building of the city of Ypsilanti is evidenced liy 
the fact that he served continuously m the Com- 
mon Council as Alderman from his ward from its 
first session until he chose to retire, some fifteen 
years ago. He once headed his party ticket as 
candidate forBIayor, but believing that one should 
not work for election, and being under the dis- 
pleasure of a faction of his party because of 
avowed temperance principles, he was defeated by 
a narrow margin. 

Ill the line of his professiun, Mr. Woodruff' has 
earned an enviable reputation as a writer, his 
articles being extensively copied, not only in the 
leading journals of the State and nation, but in 
those of foreign lands. This has been done with- 
out the aid of '• press clipping" or "literary bu- 
reaus." Aside from his work at home, he repre- 
sented the Detroit Free Press, then published by 
Wilbur F. Story of the Chicago Times, at L.ansing, 
ill IH.").') and 18i37, as legislative correspondent. 
He has also at times been an esteemed contributor 
to a number of metropolitan papers, among them 
the Chicago //''/■fl/f?. Since 1860 the Sentinel, es- 



548 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



tablished as a AVhig paper, has lieen a consistent, 
but very independent, advocate of Democratic 
principles, supporting the regular nominees of its 
l)arty willi one exception. In the campaign of 
1872, the nomination of Horace Greelej- was more 
than straight-out Democrats could bear, and the 
paper hoisted the banner of O'Conor and Adams, 
our subject himself being the candidate of the 
"straights" for Lieutenant Governer. 

Much might be written of tlie public life of Mr. 
AN'oodruff. of the |)redictions that have been ful- 
filled, of the numlierless occasions where his opin- 
ions, held in opjiosition to the wayward vievvs of 
the unthinking public, have been justifled by re- 
sults ; but a recital would not be approved by him. 
Suffice it, that the most notable of recent munici- 
pal improvements, the motor railroad connecting 
Ypsilanti witli Ann Arbor, had been advocated by 
him for more than a score of years before it was 
built, and that men who greeted the suggestion 
with derision now acknowledge itt; wisdom.' 

Except for a period of six months, in 1878-79, 
a history of which may be given to illustrate Mr. 
Woodruff's continual sacrifice of personal to public 
interests, and to show his love for and pride in 
higher education, he has personally conducted his 
business and been at his post year in and year out, 
without vacation or rest. During the summer of 
1878, the old luiilding of tlie Ypsilanti Union 
Seminary having burned previously, a strong op- 
position developed against rebuilding, holding 
that ward primaries were all the citv needed — tliat 
the High School should be abolished, and tliat those 
who sought academic education ought to i)ay for 
it at the State Korinal School or elsewliere, not be 
taught at puldic expense. With an intensity of 
feeling characteristic of him and born of a perfect 
faitii in education, the subject of our sketch fought 
for the institution that to-da^' is one of the glories 
of Ypsilanti — one of the finest of the manj^ fine 
High Schools of Michigan — and when, on the last 
day of August, 1878, a contract for the erection of 
the handsomest and most substantial school edifice 
in the State was signed, he fell a victim of nervous 
exhaustion from which he was a longtime recover- 
ing, being confined to the house for six months. 
Here was developed the old story of the in- 



gratitude of mankind. School elections in Ypsil- 
anti occur in September, and while it was un- 
certain whetiier or not the struggle might termin- 
ate fatall}', the enemies of the school system, de- 
prived of power, revenged themselves by choosing 
another to his place upon the Board of Education, 
an act as easy as it was disgraceful, since the vote 
is always a light one. He was soon again called 
to the work, however, and subsequent efforts to 
defeat him have been unavailing. 

Mr. Woodruff has never sought office and has 
never held a position of emolument. His public 
work has always been of the kind that is repaid 
only bj- criticism and fault finding, if the officer 
follows the dictates of his conscience. But he has 
earned a wide reputation as an able, fearless, 
honest, independent writer and thinker, that will 
be a grander monument than riches or high posi- 
tion. 

October 29, 1850, Charles Woodrufl:' and Mary 
M. Jones, daughter of Capt. James Jones, one of 
the earliest settlers of Ann Arbor, were married. 
Thej' settled in the home still occupied by them, 
and liave reared four sons to man's estate. Of 
these the eldest and youngest, Charles M. and 
Cains L.. are employed by Parke. Davis 6z Co., 
manufacturing chemists, of Detroit, while the third, 
A. Woodruff, has always remained at home, em- 
ployed in the office of the Seiilinel. Of the second 
son, who publishes the Michigan State Democrat at 
Cadillac, Mich., as well as managing the business 
of the /Sentinel, a sketch appears elsewhere in this 
volume. 



^!#Sli"^n^llM#i 



\T('OSEPH FOLLMOR. No more highly res- 
pected and esteemed citizen lives in Ypsil- 
anti than the one of whom we now write, 
^^f/ who has done business here for more than 
half a century and throughout all that time has so 
conducted himself as to earn the just admiration 
and regard of his neighbors and of his business 
associates. He is the senior member of the firm of 
Follmor it Scovill. retail dealers in lumber and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM, 



549 



manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds. They 
also manufacture hard wood and white wood 
lumber. 

The settlement of Mr. P\)llniur in Michigan oc- 
curred in July, 18.37, when he first came to Detroit 
and it was the following year when he came to 
Washtenaw County, settling first in Lowell in 
April, and afteiward coming to Ypsilanti in .Jan- 
uary 1839. on the first train which ran over the 
Michigan Central Kailroad indulging in a free ride 
on that occasion. He is now an ex-Alderraan and 
has served on the City Council for more years 
than any other man in the city, having been upon 
that board for sixteen years. His birth was in 
Hesse-Cassell, (iermany, April 5, 1818. 

Henry Follmor, the father of our sulijcct. lived 
and died upon his farm in (4erinany and the mo- 
ther, Elizalieth Hicks, also died in her native land. 
They were communicants of the Lutheran Church 
and had four sons and one daughter. Having 
been reared upon the farm he attended the Ger- 
man schools from his sixth to his fourteenth year, 
and then the youth began to work upon the farm, 
but as the time approached when he woukl be 
called upon to enter the military service of his 
country he became restless and determined to 
make his way to America. Leaving home in 
April, 1837, he set sail from Bremen having great 
difliculty in getting away, as he had no passport, 
but success finally crowned his efforts and after 
passing forty-nine days upon the ocean lie Landed 
at .Sandy Hook. 

The young man now made his way to Michigan 
arriving in Detroit in July, a stranger in a strange 
land with onl}' 1.5.30 in his pocket. The da.y after 
his arrival he went to work sawing wood, which 
he did with a hearty good will and manufactured 
at one time ten cords of wood in twenty-four 
hours' work, and thus succeeded in meeting his ex- 
penses. Upon making his way to Lowell he 
worked on the railroad and afterward in a saw- 
mill until January 10, 1840, when he beg.an work 
for M, Norris on the very place which is now his 
business site. He had already gained such an 
insight into the business of a sawmill as to ttike 
the place of a head sawyer, and in 1848 he took 
charge of the lumber yard as salesman, work- 



ing for the firm which was at this time Norris & 
Follmor until 1865, when the business tell into the 
hands of the Wool Mill Company for whom he 
worked .as foreman until December 1, 1870. when 
lie formed a partnership with Mr. H. Scovill under 
the jtresent firm name and entered business for 
himself. Their sawmill and planing-mill are run 
liy water power and the residence of our subject 
IS on Mapie Street in the Fourth Ward. 

^Ii.ss Susan J. Allen, who w.as born in New York 
and belongs to a faniilj- who were old settlers in 
this county, became the wife of Mr. Follmor in 
Ypsilanti in 1848. Her three children are Ellen, 
Josephine and George McClellan. The former is 
now Mrs. Flowers, of Ypsilanti and the .second 
daughter married Mr. Hill, an engineer at Detroit, 
while the son is with his father in business. While 
a member of the City Council, our subject was on 
various important committees, notably that for 
Buildings and Bridges and was one of the most 
active in promoting the introduction of electric 
lights being the Chairman of the Committee on 
that subject and very influential in pushing the 
niovcnient. He has ever donated liberally to pub- 
lic enterprises, such as churches and schools. 

Mr. Follmor was formerly a member of the 
Order of Odd Fellows but is now demitted and he 
still belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, the 
Royal Arch Masons and the Council. Upon the 
City Democratic Committee he is counted a strong 
man and in every walk of life has shown character 
and enterprise. No man h.as ever remained in 
Ypsilanti so steadily in one business and in one 
location as he, and his is the oldest mill site and 
lumber yard in the city. 



m>^^<m 



W' 



'OHN W. WISE. It is with pleasure that 
any true-hearted patriot recounts the life- 
history of one who has served our nation 
with devotion and it is with reverence that 
we look upon the infirmities that have come upon 
these crippled veterans in our country's service. 
The old soldier of whom we now write is well de- 



550 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



serving of the pension which our generous Gov- 
ernment has accorded to him in common with 
others wlio fought for the old flag. 

Mr. Wise was horn in Congress Township, AVavne 
County, Ohio, July 24. 1841, his father, the Hon. 
David Wise, l)eing a native of Lancaster County, 
Pa., and descended from Pennsylvania farmers of 
Holland extr.action. AVhile living in Pen nsylva 
nia David Wise was a weaver and did custom work, 
but after he located in Wayne County, Ohio, he 
engaged in farming there but in 1845 returned to 
Pennsylvania and worked at his trade for several 
years in Harrisburg and the Cumberland Valley. 
He served as .Supervisor for several terms and was 
sent to the Legislature for one term. In 1853 he 
came to Michigan and located at Ypsilanti, where 
he carried on a meat market until he retired from 
business and lie continued to make this his home 
until his death at the age of eighty-four. He was 
a Whig in his political alliliations and a Metliodist 
in his cliurch connections. 

Eliza Negley who was born in Lnucaster County. 
Pa., was the daughter of .Jacob Xegley, a farmer 
there and became the wife of David Wise, and the 
mother of our subject. She lived to reach the age 
of seventy-six years and passed away from earth 
in Ypsilanti. Her four children were all sons 
and every one of them served his country with his 
musket; the eldest, David. A. enlisted first in the 
Mexican AVar and again in the Civil War in the 
First Michigan Regiment, serving until the Penn- 
.sylvania Campaign .at which time he resigned his 
office as Lieutenant and Quartermaster and retired 
from the army on account of ill health. He now 
resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Jacob T., was also a 
soldier in the Mexican War and was one of Bur- 
dan's Sharp Shooters from 1861 until he was dis- 
charged at the time of the Pennsylvania Campaign. 
He resides in Ypsilanti. Harmon J. was the only 
one who lost his life in patriotic duty. He was 
killed at Chancelloisville, May 3, 1863. and was 
left on the field. He belonged to the First I'nited 
States Sharp Shooters and had ser\ed for three 
years, having enlisted early in 1861. 

Until John Wise was four years old he lived in 
Ohio and then his home was in Pennsjivania dur- 
ing his school years. Wiien twelve years old ho 



came to Michigan by boat and rail and attended 
the Union school al Ypsilanti, and was serving an 
a|)preiiticesliip at the blacksmiths' trade, under 
Batclielder it Mcintosh, until he enlisted in Com- 
pany B, Twentieth ^lichigan Infantry, July 26, 
1862. He was mustered in at Jackson and his 
regiment was assigned to the Army of the Poto- 
mac. The prominent battles in which he engaged 
were Fredericksburg, Sijotlsylvania, the Wilder- 
ness and the siege of Petersburg, and he continued 
in active service until the close of the war. He 
was on the south side of the railroad near Dinwid- 
dle Courthouse when Lee surrendered. At Spott- 
sylvania Courthouse a limb of a tree fell upon 
him while they were crouching down after making 
a charge, anil he was obliged to remain in hospital 
for quite awhile, and this was the iieginning of the 
long sickness whicli has now crippled him so ser- 
iouslj'. After this experience he could hardly 
keep up with his company, but he remained 
throughout the period of his term of service. 

.Vt the close of the war the regiment with which 
this young man was connected returned to Wash- 
ington and took part in the Grand Review, being 
mustered out there M.ay 30, 1865. He endeavoied 
to undertake his trade again upon his return home 
l)ut found himself unable to work for awhile, and 
was unable to work continuously when he did 
begin as he had rheumatic attacks two or three 
times every year. He gradually grew worse and 
in 1883 suffered from a severe sickness, since which 
he has been unable to walk without a cane and 
since 1889 crutches have lieen necessary to his 
moving about among men. 

The marriage of this brave hero with Miss 3Iary 
Boyle took place in Ypsilanti in February, 1866. 
She was born in York Townshi|) and is a daughter 
of Hugh Boyle, who was born in County Donegal, 
Ireland, in 1800. He was a farmer in his native 
country and came to America and became an early 
settler in York Township about the year 183(1. 
Here he located and improved a new farm whicii 
he sold somewhat later and made his home in Ypsi- 
lanti, where he operated a line of dr.iys and died 
ill 1880. He w.as a Catholic in his religious belief 
and his good wife who is now eighty years old and 
resides in Ypsilanti, was Imiii in Ireland. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM." 



551 



Three diildren have blessed the home of our 
subjeet, namely: Margaret K.. who is a graduate of 
the High School and also of the State Normal 
School in the Class of '87, and is now teaching at 
Grand Rapids; George E., who is in the employ of 
the Standard Oil C'ompany and Mary E., who lias 
attended the Normal School but is now at home. 
Mr. Wise is a Grand Army man, belonging to the 
Carpenter Post and also to the National Veterans, 
Elwell Commander No. 12, at Ypsilanti. lie is a 
Pension Agent and in his political views is a true 
blue Republican and in religions matters is at- 
tached to the P^piscojjal Churcli. 



-ip^ nWS WINSLOW. Among the sons of 
'*^~ " the pioneers wliose memory is so highly 

honored in Washtenaw County, is Mr. 

Winslow. of Lima Township, whose ex- 
cellent farm and pleasant home is one of the 
ornaments |of section 8. His father, C'alvin Wins- 
low, a native of New York, married Phila Mc- 
Comber, also a New Yorker, and to them were born 
two sons and a daughter. They ^vere among the 
very first settlers of Lima Township, taking from 
the Government one hundred and sixty acres of 
land, where the son now resides, and eighty acres 
in another place. At the time of liis death Mr. 
AVinslow owned one hundred and sixty acres. He 
was a prominent man in his day and would have 
been still more so had he not died while in the early 
prime of life, as he passed away in 1848. His good 
wife survived until the year 18()5. 

Our subject was born in this townsliip Septem- 
ber 28, 1844, and this has ever been his home. He 
lived on iiis father's farm, which has ever been his 
home; except during one .year, when he was in the 
service of the Government, in 1865. Farming has 
always been his life-work and he has proved him- 
self successful in it. His marriage with Olive Tal- 
man, in Lima Township, in 1885, brought to his 
home a helpmate to whose aid and co-operation he 
is much indebted for his success in life. She is a 



daughter of Lyman M. Talman.of New York, who 
was quite an early settler in Sharon Township, 
coming hither about 1848, with his wife, Polly 
Maxon, a native of New York. They had four 
sons and live daughters. They carried on a farm 
until the death of Mr. Talman in 1860, when he 
left an estate of one hundred and sixty acres to his 
family. The mother is now some seventy-one 
years of age and resides in Denver, Col. The 
grandfather of Mrs. Winslow, the Rev, .John Maxon, 
was a soldier in the War of 1812, and drew a jien- 
sion through life, as he wfis shot in the mouth. 

To Calvin Winslow and wife were born five sons 
and Hve daughters, but our subject and his wife 
have been blessed with but one child, a daugh 
ter, .lennie, who w.as born .July 12, 1886. Mr. 
Winslow owns one hundred and sixty acres of 
fine land and about one-third of it has been thor- 
oughly cleared of timber and stumps, and he now 
has one hundred and thirty-five acres of it im- 
proved. He is a stanch Republican in his political 
views and ever earnest foi' the success of his party 



|TpS,ACHEL LOW. The lady whom -Uncle 
IW^ Sam" has put in charge of the mail .service 
i*^ \\\ at AYebster. the center of Webster Town- 
^P ship, is the widow of William Low, who 
was born in Buckinghamshire, England. His fa- 
ther, Richard Low, settled in Lodi Township when 
the son was about ten years old, and about 1852 
removed to Webster Township. AVilliam and Rachel 
Low were married October 8, 1854. in Wel)sler 
Township. Our subject's maiden name was Rachel 
Thomas, she being the dauo-hter of Nathan and 
Lydia(Sehoonhoven) Thomas, who settled on their 
present place in 1830, coming hither from Steuben 
County, N. Y., and taking up four hundred and 
fifty acres of land from the Government. 

Mrs. Rachel ]>ow was born in New York March 
16, 1828. Her father died in 1857 and his widow 
followed him .Tune 9, 1877, having made her home 
for a number of years with her daughter Rachel. 
She of whom we write is the second daughter in a 



552 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL ALBUM. 



family of twelve children, five of whom are now 
living. The one son of the family, Daniel Thomas, 
now lives in this county with Mrs. Low. The other 
members of the family are scattered. The consort 
of our subject was taken away May o. 1884, at the 
age of fifty-one years, his birth having occurred 
October 8, 1832. 

After marriage they went to Gratiot County, 
where they remained for two years and then re- 
turned to the farm and have here lived ever since. 
The place includes one hundred and thirty-eight 
acres of the old homestead. About 1855 the elder 
Mr. Low and family went to Jlontcalm C!ountv and 
there died in 1885. In 1864 WiUiam Low was 
appointed Postmaster of Webster and since his 
death Mrs. Low has taken charge of the office. 
They were the parents of three children whose names 
are as follows: Abbie A., Laura E. and Nathan R. 
The eldest has always been at home and for seven 
years was engaged as a teacher. Laura is now 
Mrs. Corydon Thurber, of Webster Tow'nslup; the 
sonis at home and has charge of tue farm. 

AVhile Mr. Low was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, our subject is a Baptist and has 
maintained her membership with that denomina- 
tion from childhood. During his life Mr. Low was 
the patentee of a well auger which under his man- 
agement proved a great success. 



l^+^i 



NDREW T. HUGHES. There is no doubt 
(@JLj[ that a sketch of the popular Supervisor of 
(t Scio Township will interest all the resi- 
dents of this part of the county, as he has 
been a prominent man in social and business circles 
for years and is a native of this township, having 
been born in Scio village, April 26, 1857. He is the 
third in age of a family of nine children born to 
his parents, Patrick and Alice (Crawley) Hughes, 
who were born and married in their native Ireland. 
The father was born in County Meath and the 
mother in County Wicklow, although she was 
reared in Dublin. 

Our subject's father and his j-ounger brother. 



John, came to the United States and at first he was 
I engaged as a foreman on the Saulte St. Marie 
I Canal. Init after a year or two he secured a posi- 
I tion on the Michigan Central Railway, and with 
his brother bought forty acres of land in Scio 
Township and began clearing off the timber but stdl 
I continued in the employ of the railroad through- 
out his life. When he began working for this 
great corporation there were but two or three 
tracks in their yards at Detroit and of these he 
took charge and laid all the additional tracks, con- 
tinuing in this position until his death. He called 
his home, however, at Scio, as tlie family remained 
there and John carried on the fanning enterprise. 
His death, which occurred when he was fifty-six 
years old, took place in Detroit, January 28, 1877, 
and his widow made her home on the farm, to 
which he had added until he had two hundred 
acres, and she took much responsibility in regard 
to clearing and improving the farm. 

The nine children of the familj' are all living, 
namely: Maiy E., Anna L., Andrew T., Sarah E., 
Francis F., Maggie, Alice, Esther P. and Mattie A. 
The latter has become a sister in the convent at 
Monroe, and Maggie is Mrs. William Quinn, of 
Shiawassee County; Anna is a teacher and at pres- 
ent has charge of the Knight district; Andrew T. 
has for some time had charge of the farm and is 
also a teacher, as he took that position when 
twenty years old and has taught for thirteen win- 
ters in Scio Township and for five winters in the 
Tuome_\' district. He was educated in the Dexter 
Linion schools. 

Mr. Hughes was Township School Inspector and 
Justice of the Peace, and in 1885 he was elected 
Supervisor on the Democratic ticket, and whenever 
his name has been brouglit forward he has received 
handsome majorities. In 1889 he was elected a 
Director of the Washtenaw County Mutual Fire 
Insurance Association and as such acted as Ad- 
juster of Losses. 

The marriage of Andrew T. Hughes and Sarah 
McGinn took place November 6, 1887. Mrs. 
Hughes was an orphan girl who was born in Ire- 
land and lost her mother when she was about three 
years old. She had two brothers and a si.'^ter, 
namely: Richard, Peter and Mary. Richard is in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



553 



the employ of the Michigan Central Railway, and 
Peter, who also serves the same company, keeps a 
store at Seio. Sarah lived with her uncle, .John 
Smith, whose home is near Scio, and was his house- 
keeper and it was through lier that tliesc eliiklren 
were brought over from the old country. She is 
mow the mother of two sons — Allan G., born Seii- 
tember 1, 1888, and Mark McGinn born April 2.'), 
1891. 



J 






\f/ OHN CAMPBELL WHEELER was born at 
Littleton, N. H., November 26, 1824. He 
is a son of Tillot«on and Polly (Campbell) 
^^^^ AVheeler, who were married at Poultne^', Vt.. 
February 26, 1824. The former was born in Little- 
ton, N. II., and the latttr in Poultuey. He was about 
forty years of age at the time of his marriage. 
Our subject's paternal grandsire, Silas, was also a 
native of New Ilamsphire. Tlie maternal grand- 
father, .John Campbell, was of Scotch ancestr}. 
Tillotson Wheeler was a merchant at Littleton and 
also owned a distillery and ran an hotel at Clare- 
mont. He was also engaged as a drover, whose 
objective point was tiuebec. He met with reverses 
and intrusting some one else with his sales he lost 
considerably and decided to come to Michigan, 
which he did in .June, 1829, and a company was 
made to set out hither with him. Besides his own 
family was that of Munnis Kenny, who located 
near, also two or three young men from Vermont 
and New Hamsphire. 

After looking the country over the elder Mr. 
Wheeler went into Jackson and decided to locate 
there, selecting land on the site where that city 
now stands. He was, however, persuaded to 
abandon that purchase and finally settled where 
our subject now lives. He here secured eighty 
acres. He had small means to work with, but be 
gan at once to improve and cultivate his farm, 
spending the rest of his life in that work. At that 
time the farm was adjacent to the limit of the 
settlement. 

Messrs. Wheeler and Kennv took land at the 



place spoken of above and one Theophilus Craw- 
ford, located tliree. and a half miles west. His 
family remained only ten years and then removed 
farther West. Of the Kenny family one of the 
children only is left. Tillotson Wheeler died on 
the farm Marcli 11, 1855, at the age of seventy- 
four years and eleven months. After being here 
fifty years he erected an ashery and engaged in 
the manufacture of saleratus and he was the first 
man to begin this industry in the State of Mich- 
igan. He continued this work for fifteen years, 
also making potasli and was by his familiars dub- 
bed "old .saleratus." 

Tillotson Wheeler cleared out two hundred acres 
of land, one hundred and twenty acres of which 
was first class land. His wife and our subject's 
mothei- siu'vived him for nearly thirtj' years, her 
decease taking place August 13, 1883, she then 
being in her ninety-fourth year, and at the time of 
her decease was in the possession of her faculties 
and a well-pr(-served old lady. Of the family of 
four children born to this couple, one died in in- 
fancy and a daughter, Martha Stevens, died at the 
age of twent3- years ; Guy Handy died in 1868 at 
the age of thirty-six years and John C, our sub- 
ject, who was five years old when brought to this 
county, remained at home until twenty-seven or 
twenty eight years old. 

Our subject was married June 14, 1849, to Miss 
Mary Harrison, who was born December 1, 1829. 
She was a native of Yorkshire, England, her 
parents having settled in Eaton County. Their 
emigration to America took place when Mrs. 
Wheeler was five years old. Our subject made his 
home with his parents for two years after his mar- 
riage. He then located on eight}- acres and de- 
voted himself to farming and in 1870 lie purchased 
the old homestead and has since lived upon it. 
Since coming here he has erected a fine brick house 
and all the outbuildings, which are in excellent 
order, have been built since his purchasing the 
place. The house built by his fatlier in 1829 still 
stands and is used as a toolhouse. being yet in a 
state of good preservation. 

]\Ir. and Mrs. Wheeler are the parents of the fol- 
lowing children : Stearns Tillotson, Victor Jean, 
Orval Jay. Frank Harrison and Tliomas Samuel. 



554 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Victor is a blacksmitli and has a shop on the farm, 
making his home witli his parents ; fStearn mar- 
ried Susanali Black of Dexter; Frank married 
Sarah Parsons of tliis township ; Thomas lost his 
first wife, who was a Miss Magsje .Starlina; and has 
recently married again, his hride being Miss Etta 
Parsons, a sister of Sarah and a daughter of Daniel 
Parsons. 

The original of our sketch has been Township 
Clerk for some years and has held other minor 
offices. Politically he is a Republican and is true 
to his party. His farm contains over three hun- 
dred acres. Mrs. Wheeler is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. Our subject is a man of 
equable and cool temperament with a clear, sound 
judgment. 



r^ 



x^ IklLLIAM BL-RTLF:sS. Many of the most 
lAW ■'•t'tive and enterprising residents of Man- 
ly^ Chester, are natives of this county and have 
here spent the greater part of their lives. In them 
we find men of true loyalty to the interests of this 
part of the State who understand as it were by in- 
stinct the needs, social and industrial, of this vicin- 
ity and who have a thoi'ough knowledge of its 
re.sources. They are therefore l)etter adapted to 
succeed here than a stranger could be and are proli- 
ably without exception warmly devoted to the 
l)rosperity of their native place. 

Mr. Burtless. who resides one mile w-est of Man- 
chester, was born in Bridgewater Township, Wash- 
tenaw County, September 27, 1842. His father, 
John Burtless, was born in Seneca County, N. Y., 
in 1796, and lived there until 1836 when he came 
to Michigan and took up land in Bridgewater 
Township, where he made his home in a log house. 
He wjis a Democrat in his political views and a 
prominent man in tho.se early days. His father, 
.lames Burtless, a Massachusetts farmer, was a son 
of John Burtless, a native of England. 

The father of our subject died in 1878 and the 
mother, Sarah Huff, a native of New York, was 
liorn in 1806 and died at the age of seven tv-seven 



years. Her father, Peter Huflf, was a native of 
Pennsylvania and passed his last j-ears in Michigan, 
dying at the age of seventy-six. With the excep- 
tion of one, the six sons and one daughter in the 
household of John and Sarah Burtless grew to 
manhood and womanhood. 

The first schooling of our subject was acquired 
in Washtenaw County, and he never had any fur- 
ther advantages than w^hat he could secure at home. 
He was reared upon the farm and worked for his 
father until he reached the age of twenty, when he 
hired himself to neighboring farmers for eight 
months at the rate of ^15 a month, and then took 
charge of a farm for one year. For three seasons 
he operated a threshing machine, and in 1864 pur- 
chased a small farm of forty acres in Manchester 
Township, which he improved and cultivated. He 
finally drifted into dealings in horses and all kinds 
of stock, and in 1869 entered into partnership with 
E. G. Cook for the purchase of wool, grain and live 
stock at Clinton, Lenawee County. 

On the 3d of May, 1873, Mr. Burtless came to 
Manchester and bought a half-interest in the South- 
ern AVashtenaw Mills, and he followed this line of 
business until 1876, while at the same time he con- 
tinued dealing in grain and live stock. Tn 1876 
he sold his interest in the mill but is still carrying 
on business in the line of grain, live stock and 
wool. His happy marriage with Mi.ss Carrie Carr, 
a ]\Ianchester ladv, took place February 29, 1876. 
She IS one of the younger, and twin, chiljlren of 
Elijah O. and Marietta (Douglass) Carr, .and was 
born January 26, 1852. To him and his amiable 
companion have been granted two sons and one 
daughter — Benjamin F., Charles and Hazel K. 

Besides the home farm of four hundred and 
twenty-seven and two-thirds acres IMr. Burtless has 
eighty acres on section 15, and the same amount 
on section 14, and most of it is under cultiv- 
ation. He is doing a general farming business 
and he has placed upon the land two separate farm- 
ing establi.shraents, one house being on section 9, 
and one section on 14. He still deals largely in stock 
and has upon his farm some seventy head of cat- 
tle from two years and upward, three hundred tine 
wool sheep and nine hoi^ses at present, although 
two vears ago he had thirty-five head of horses. 




R. M, SN YDEFl. 



Portrait aistd biographical album. 



55? 



He is a stoek-liolder in the People's National Bank 
of Manchester and was a member of the Village 
Council for six years. For three years he has been 
.Supervisor, and although a Repulilican he has fre- 
quently been elected against a usual majority of 
nearly twice as many Democrats as Rejjublicans. 
Besides his outside land he has a business block 
and a dwelling in the village. He is identified 
with the Masonic order and is higlily honored in 
that connection. 



OBERT MILLS SNYDEK. The farmer re- 
siding on section 12, Webster Township, 
i*^ \V who bears the name given above, was born 
' ^ in Warren Countj-, N. J., January 8, 1806. 
"With more than four-score years, he has had an 
experience which is broad and far-reaching. Mr. 
.Snyder is a son of John Jacob and Elinor (Stran- 
ford) .Snyder. The paternal grandsire was born 
in Germany. November 8, 1730, and the father. 
May 18, 1775, while his mother was born in Ire- 
land May 18, 1777. After his father emigrated to 
this country he served in the War of 1812, taking 
a part in the battle of New Orleans. He was by 
trade a tailor. The family consisted of seven 
children of which Mr. .Snyder is the third, who with 
(ieorge Henry Craven .Snyder, of Minnesota — the 
youngest — only remain, the rest having departed 
this life. 

Our subject was apprenticed to a blacksmith and 
followed his trade in New Jersey until 1838, when 
he came to Michigan and bought the tract of land 
ui)on which he now resides. This was mainly oak 
openings. After making a little home he built a 
place in which he set up an anvil and forge and 
followed his trade as opportunity offered. Mean- 
time he cleared his farm. His lirst liome was a log 
house and during the first winter passed there the 
place was without a roof. His first vote was cast 
in the election of 1828 and was for the Democratic 
party. Jackson was nominee for the Presidency. 
For this vote he was challenged by a neighbor. 
Afterr a long discussion conducted on both sides 



by attorneys the vote was refused, but the tax lev- 
ied upon the young man was collected. 

Mr. Snyder was married July 24. 1830, to Miss 
Mary N. Hart, who shared the trials andditliculties 
of early life and was one of the noblest women 
the community has ever known. Fourteen children 
were born to them, all but six growing to maturity 
and seven are living at the present time. They 
are Alexander, who is a traveling salesman; Harriet, 
who is the wife of Henry Arms and lives at Lansing; 
Elinor, the wife of the Key. John McClure and lives 
at Lansing; Emeline, who is Mrs. Oscar Grisson, of 
Hamburg, Livingston County; Rebecca, who is Mrs. 
Aaron Burkhart of Chelsea; Theodore lives in 
Wisconsin and George is a traveling salesman. One 
daughter, Cornelia Ann, a finely educated woman 
and the pride of the family, died at the age of 
twenty-one. Mrs. .Snyder died in 1873. 

January 1, 1874 our subject was married to Mrs. 
Hannah Wheeler, widow of Guy Wheeler of Web- 
ster Township. Guy Wheeler died in Ann Arbor 
in 1868, having lived in Webster Township, where 
he was born July 29, 1832. He was married March, 
1853, to Miss Hannah Harrison who was born in 
Lincolnshire, P^ngland, April 30, 1832, and came 
to the United States with her parents when but 
three years of age. AVhen seven years of age the 
family settled in PittsHeld Township. Her chil- 
dren are Keys N. Wheeler, who lives at Hamburg; 
Martha, who is Mrs. Elmer Rozell and lives in 
Windsor, Eaton County, and Charles who lives in 
Ann Arbor. Mr. .Snyder was in his early days pos- 
sessed of great strength and in the early lawless 
days sometimes found it necess.iry to use his power 
in casting out pugnaciou.-i neighbors from his shop. 

Tlie religious views of our subject are Method- 
istic and of the most ardent type. He joined tiie 
]Metliodist Episcopal Church in New Jersej' sixty- 
four years ago and has remained in her communion 
ever since. He was gifted with a fine voice and was 
in great demand as a class-leader and exhorter. Ac- 
tive in all church work he was a constant attendant 
at the Conference and knew many of the leading 
men of his denomination. When the church was 
built at AVebster he was the leader and everything 
w.asdone by his direction. He was a man who had 
great faith in tlie etticacy of prayer, and his family 



558 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



recount occasions on wliich his supplications were 
almost miraculously answered. He was a good old- 
fasliioned Methodist who believes in expressing his 
religious emotions aloud. Thoroughly versed in 
^lethodist histor\', he has stood liand in hand with 
the fathers of the church in Michigan. His home 
was and is still the headquarters for all Methodist 
preachers, and many a man who has stood high in 
church work owes much of liis success, enthusiasm, 
and popularit^r to the influence and generous assist- 
ance of Brother Snyder, whose wliole soul was 
devoted to this cherished object. At present Mr. 
Snyder holds the offices of District Steward.Steward. 
Class-leader and Trustee in the church of his youth, 
manhood and old age. 

A lithographic portrait of ^Ir. Snyder may be 
found in connection with this sketcli. 



^^ LEXANDEH AVINCHELL, one of Amer- 
@/u| ica's most gifted scholars was born Decem- 
11 ii ber 31, 1824, at Spencer's C'oi'ner, in the 
!^J town of North East, Dutchess County, 
N. Y. Descended from Robert Winchell who came 
from England and settled at Dorchester, Mass.. as 
early as 1634, and removed with the first settlers of 
Windsor, Conn., about 1635. Lieut. James AVin- 
chell of the fifth generation, great-grandfather of 
Alexander, removed from Turkey Hills (then in- 
cluded in AVindsor,) about 1760,and established a 
branch of the famih' on the summit and fertile 
slopes of one of the mountains of the Taconic 
range since known as AA'ineliell Mountain, in the 
town of North East. The station known as AVin- 
chell's on the Newbnrg, Dutchess and Columbia 
Railroad, marks the vicinity of the original home- 
stead, while the village of Millerton at the east 
foot of the mountain, has nearly superseded the 
once flourishing village of Spencer's Corner. Col. 
Martin E. AA^inchell, grandfatlier of Alexander, was 
a man of military and public spirii. and is remem- 
bered as a leading citizen of the town. He was 
Colonel of a regiment of State Militia, and mem- 
ber of the Legislature. He was an active friend 



of education; one of his sons, Abraham, graduated 
in letters, fr(>m Harvard College, and in law, from 
A'ale. Another, .James Manning, was graduated at 
Brown University and became pastor of the First 
Baptist Church in Boston, where he died at tlie age 
of twenty-nine, but is still remembered for his ex- 
traordinary power as a preacher. Horace, Alex- 
ander's father, obtained the rudiments of a classical 
education at a famous classical scliool in Sharon. 
Conn., and subsequently- studied two years with his 
In-other James in Boston, devoting some time also 
to classical studies at Andover. One of Alexander's 
brothers. Martin E., giailuated in medicine at Yale, 
but lost his life during the late war. Three others 
have graduated at the University' of Michigan. 
Of these Newton H., is professor of geology in the 
University of Minnesota, and State geologist; 
Samuel R., teacher and author, is now a member of 
the Inter-State Publishing Company, Boston; and 
Charles M., for several j-ears connected with the 
I'nited States Survey of the Lakes and the Missis- 
sippi, is now in charge of engineering enterprises 
in Dakota. 

Alexander, in childhood was generally regarded 
as destined by nature for the bar, but circum- 
stances overruled this destination. His early edu- 
cation was in the family and the district school. 
His favorite study was arithmetic and his pro- 
ficiency was extraordinary. Reared in a farming 
community, his strong constitution was further 
strengthened by farmer's chores while a child, and 
farmer's work when an older lad. But he had a 
marked distaste for the occupations of a farmer, 
and instinctively aspired to a more intellectual 
sphere. He had a fancy for the printer's life, and 
was once offered as an apprentice to a printing 
house in Hudson. But he was pronounced one 
year too young; before another year expired his 
aspirations had sensibly expanded. He would now 
study medicine, and went to live with his great 
uncle Dr. Charles McAllister, at South Lee, Mass. 
Being but thirteen, his preliminary education re- 
mained to be acquired. He attended the district 
school in the winter, and the Stockbridge Academy 
during the summer. In the latter he resumed Latin, 
the rudiments of which he had learned from liis 
father at the age of ten. 



PORTRAI'T AisTD BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



559 



In two years his aspirations were still further en- 
larged. He began to long for the advantages of 
collegiate training. He felt that the life of a mere 
medical practitioner would he too narrow. Re- 
turning home he rested on his oars for some weeks 
and pondered over the outlook. Never did a 
yoiitii more eagerly desire opportunity to jjursue 
advanced courses of study; but the financial hob- 
goblin dispelled every hope — every hope but his 
father's. To him nothing seemed impossible. 
Alex.ander one day expressed the wish that he were 
old enough to teach a school. "You are old 
enough" said the father, to the amusement of some 
others who thought differently, "I will engage a 
school for you." The youth was but fifteen and 
the enterprise was thought chimerical. Still the 
school was engaged in the "Rowe Neighborhood" 
and it was very successfully taught and controlled. 
A son of .Tudge IJokee was one of his pupils. 

After this the subject of this sketch continued to 
teach with comparatively little interruption, dur- 
ing his whole life. The various subjects which 
most others pursue in higher schools were taken 
u|) by him in his leisure hours alone. He went 
through algebra, surve^-ing and plane geometry in 
one summer while in full charge of a school. He 
pursued Latin, Greek and botany, but all with 
vague purposes though with very definite long- 
ings. One day he made the acquaintance, at Pine 
Plains, in Dutchess County ,of Principal Davis W. 
Clark, of Amenia .Seminary — afterward Bishop of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Under his en- 
couragement and advice the young man connected 
himself with Amenia Seininary, September 6, 1842. 
Regardless of the possible brevity of his connection 
with the Seminary he enteied upon a formal course 
of preparation for college. Breaking away from 
his classes on the api)roacli of winter, he again en- 
gaged in teaching, Init kept up the studies of the 
cour.se. Returning in the spring he reviewed them 
with his class and maintained his standing. During 
the following year, 1843-4, his method was similar. 
At the final public exercises he took the valedic- 
tory. He also acted a i)art in a dramatic sketch 
written by himself and entitled -The Reign of 
Terror." 

Life at Amenia Seminary hud iiis[)ired him with 



a high enthusiasm and an irrepressible aspiration 
for learning. He determined to present himself 
for admission to college and enter on faith. He 
was admitted to the Sophomore class of Wesleyan 
rniversity; here Dr. Olin was the lofty character 
which inspired his imagination and sustained his 
hopes. He w.as obliged to spend the winter in a 
school at Winsted, Conn., but returned in the 
spring and resumed his place among his fellows. 
So passed three years, and in August, 1847, he 
graduated as Bachelor of Arts. Among his twenty- 
two classmates were young men now known in the 
world as Bishop Andrews of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Chnrch; Senator Cole of California; President 
Dean late of New Orleans University; Orange 
Judd of the American Agriculturist and the Prairie 
Farmer; Rev. Dr. .1. K. King of the Ft. Edward 
Institute. 

His first year (1847-8) was spent at Pennington 
Male Seminary as teacher of Natural Sciences. 
Rev. Stephen M. Vail was then Principal, and under 
his private instruction the rudiments of Ilelirew 
were learned. The electric telegraph was now first 
put in operation between Baltimore and Washing- 
ton; and the young teacher, catching the principle, 
but without the sight of an instrument, constructed 
a working telegraph, devised his own alphabet, 
and gave two public lectures with actual demon- 
strations, to the amusement and delight of large 
audiences. But botany was made his special study, 
and he gained here from Darlington's Flora 
Ceslrica, an impulse which has never been lost. So 
much may be accomplished l)y an adequate and 
genial book. 

He was now offered the tutorship in mathematics 
in his Alma Mater. Had this been accepted the 
whole current of his life would have been turned 
into a different channel. He .accepted preferably 
the post of teacher of Natural Sciences in Amenia 
Seminary an institution to which he felt bound by 
lender recollections; here he remained until Octo- 
ber, 1850, in charge of Natural Sciences. Some of 
his associates were E. O. Haven and Gilbert Haven, 
both subsequently bishops in the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and Albert S. Hunt, now one of the 
Secretaries of the American Bible Society. Here 
also he made the acquaintance of Miss .lulia 



560 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Frances Lines of Utica, N. Y., who held the posi- 
tion of teacher of music, and to whom he was mar- 
ried December 5, 1849. His favorite scientific 
pursuit daring this period was botany, and lie drew 
up a complete catalogue of the plants of the vicin- 
ity, which was published in the report of the 
Regents of the University of the .State, for 1851; 
he also placed a complete set of species in the cabi- 
net of the Seminary. 

In October, 1850, he removed to Alabama, and 
during three or four years had charge successivelj- 
of the Newbern Academy, the Mesopotamia Fe- . 
male Seminary at Eutaw and the Masonic Univer- 
sity, at Selma. His leading motive in going South 
was to enlarge his opportunities for observation. 
In the scientific field he gave much atteiition to 
botany, zoologv and geology, and maintained a 
correspondence with Prof. S. F. Baird of the 
Smithsonian Institution, and with Prof. L. Agassiz, 
from both of whom letters of commendation were 
sent to the University of ^Michigan, when in the 
autumn of l-''53, he was nominated for the chair 
of Phvsics and Civil Engineering in that institu- 
tion. He made and transmitted to the Smithson- 
ian Institution, collections of plants, animals and 
fossils which were pronounced by the Secretary, 
in the report for 1853, to exceed those to that time 
contributed liy any other individual. The fishes 
were promptly studied by Dr. Girard, and one new 
species received the name of its discoverer. The 
fossils remained uninvestigated until 1878, when a 
new species of oyster received from Dr. C. A. AVhite 
the name of its discoverer. 

Arriving in Ann Arbor in January, 1854. he 
entered on the duties of the chair of Physics 
and Civil Engineering but with the promise of 
a transfer to the chair of Geolog3', Zoology and 
Botany as soon as it should be established. Mean- 
while, in 1855, he made for the citizens of Ann 
Arbor, a survey for a line of railroad to !Maii- 
chester. In the same year he was transferred lo 
the chair of Geology, Zoology and Botany, and 
retained it until June, 1873. He entered on his 
new duties with all the zeal which had .sustaineil 
him from the time when he determined to enlarge 
his sphere beyond that of a medical praclitioner 
destitute of a liberal education. But he was r p- 



posed and discouraged by the President of the 
University, who had taken umbrage at his inde- 
pendent spirit. Though sustained by the Board 
of Regents this opposititm remained as a tradition 
the malign influence of whicli has never ceased to 
be felt. 

In 1859 he serA'ed as President of the State 
Teachers' Association and edited and published 
the Mkhifjan Journal of Education. About this 
time or earlier he began that system of popular 
writing and lecturing on science which has been so 
widely appreciated, and has continued to the pres- 
ent. He was in fact the first re])resentative of 
science who put the grandest facts and largest 
thoughts into tlie language of the multitude, and 
wrote to entertain as well as to instruct. 

The Legislature of 1859, instigated by petitions 
originating with the Professor of Geology in the 
University, passed a law re-establishing the Geolo- 
gical Survey of the State, and I'rc)f. Winchell was 
appointed Director, still retaining his chair in the 
University. The field work of this survej- was 
conducted through two seasons, and a volume em- 
bodying a report of progress was pulilished by the 
Legislature, when in 1861, the outbreak of civil 
war brought the survey to a practical close. Dur- 
ing eight years, however. Prof. ^Vinchell was con- 
ceived by the people to hold the place of State 
Geologist, and was plied with the innumerable 
(luestions which people find it mucli easier to ask 
than to answer for themselves. During this inter- 
val also. Prof. Winchell engaged in palseontologi- 
cal investigations of the material accumulated b\- 
the survey, and made many publications in the 
scientific journals. He established seven new 
genera and three hundred and four new sjiecies. 
mostl.y fossil. By the Legislature of 1869 the sur- 
vey was again set in motion and Prof. Winchell 
was again designated Director. At the end of two 
years, however, lie handed in his resignation. No 
successor was ap])ointed and the work was contin- 
ued under the direction of the Geological Board. 

In 1870 appeared his first popular book, "Sketches 
of Creation" which is said by the publishers to 
have had a larger sale than any other popular book 
on science ever published in America. At about 
the same time appeared his volume on the "Gene- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



561 



alogy of tlie Wiucliell Family," embodying tiic 
results of an immense amount of patient researcli. 
lie also wrote up numerous articles for the Reviews 
and ]\Iagazines; and drew up an extended account 
of the Topograph}', Hydrograi)liy, Geology and 
Climate of Michigan for Walling's Atlas. This at- ■ 
count was afterward published separately, accom- 
panied by eight charts in colors. 

In 1872 correspondence was opened with him by 
representatives of Syracuse University who desired 
to secure him for the position of Chancellor. To 
this time, he had peremptorily declined the execu- 
tive position ill any collegiate institution. He 
felt that its duties were so different from those of 
a professor's chair that his time was likely to lie 
frittered away in xuiimproving occupations, and 
his pursuit of science would he hopelessly arrested. 
His life-long devotion to careful scientific study, 
and the great body of his scientific acquisitions 
would be little available in the performance of the 
customary duties of a college oi' university presi- 
dent. He had, in this view, declined several 
jiresidental positions, including those in three 
State I'niversities, one of which now occupies the 
front rank in America. But in the case of Syra- 
< use University, it was represented as the desire of 
the trustees that he should not divest himself of 
the character of a scientific investigator. A salaried 
financial agent was in the employ of the Univer- 
sity, and the Chancellor would find much time for 
intellectual pursuits. The prospect of an im- 
proved flnaneial situation also exerted its influence 
on a man long pinched by the niggardly salaries 
paid by the University of Michigan. He yielded 
to the persuasion offered, and in .January, 1873, 
entered upon his duties cheered liy cveiy mani- 
festation of good will from students, university 
officials and citizens of Syracuse. His inaugural 
address on "The IModern University" was delivered 
in Wieting Opera House, February 13, 1873. As 
pre-determined he devoted some share of his time 
to completing the literary' and scientific enterprises 
which his removal from Michigan had left unfin- 
ished; but he never found opportunity to take up 
new scientific work, and felt that from the mo- 
ment he assumed the Chancellor's chair he began 
to disappear from the arena of scientific activity. 



He soon discovered, also, that the financial state of 
the University was such as to require the Chan- 
cellor to devote his chief energies to the enlarge- 
ment of the endowment. For the duties of solicitor 
of money he had no qualification. Between 
l)ali«ontologist and financial agent was a gap so 
Iiroad that he had never contemplated crossing it. 
He accordingly notified the Board of Trustees in 
March, 1874, of his intention to vacate the chair 
of Chancellor at the close of the }"ear. This was 
accordinglv done; and the Board courteousl}' voted 
¥oOO toward the expense of a trip to Europe, with 
some months' leave of absence from the chair of 
Geology which they simultaneously urged him to 
accept, at least provisionally. During this brief 
connection with Syracuse University he published 
two books, written rather in philosophic than 
scientific style. He delivered two lectures before 
the Drew Theological Seminary and these at the 
urgent request of some who heard them were 
placed in the hands of Harper Brothers for 
publication. They form a small book entitled 
"The Dcctriue of Evolution, its Data, its Princi- 
ples, its Speculations and its Theistic Bearings." 
It is simply a po[)ular exjiosition of the doctrine, 
without any attempt to attack or defend. The 
other book appearing during this interval was en- 
tilled "Reconciliation of Science and Religion," 
in the various chapters of which the common pur- 
pose was to show why the representatives of science 
and religion have been so much at variance, and to 
demonstrate that this does not arise fi'om any ne- 
cessity of things. 

In pursuance of a plan formed while yet at Ann 
Arbor, he visited Europe with his family in July, 
1873. The immediate object was to secure musical 
advantages for his eldest daughter. After some 
travel he settled his family in Berlin, and at the 
beginning of September, was at his post again in 
Syracuse. In Julj' of the following j'ear, he re- 
joined his family in Europe, and after further so- 
journ at places of interest, returned with them late 
in December. 

In JanuaiT, 1875, he was waited on by Bishop 
H. N. McTyeire of Vanderbilt University, who de- 
sired him to assume the chair of Geolog}', Zoology 
and Botanj' in th.at institution; but he would only 



562 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL ALBUM. 



consent to an engagement for three months each 
year — continuing an engagement for two or three 
months with Syracuse University. Under this ar- 
rangement he lectured in A'anderhilt University in 
1875-1876 and 1877. At the end of his last course 
he was notified by Bishoi) IMcTyeire that his resig- 
nation would be accejitable to the Board of Trus- 
tees. The reason assigned was that he was under- 
stood to hold to the doctrine of evolution, and 
had also published at Syracuse, a pamphlet em- 
bodying some articles contributed, by editorial 
request, to the Noiiheni Christian Admcate, in 
which he defended the belief in Preadamites. For 
such reasons he refused to offer his resignation, and 
the Board accordingly abolished the lectureship 
held by him. This action produced considerable 
commotion throughout botli North and South. 

Prof. Winchell still retained his house in Ann 
Arbor, and in fact the greater part of his furniture 
had never bein removed. His family re occupied 
the premises at the end of 1876, and now in 1877, 
he found himself at work again within the precincts 
hallowed by so many years of iirevious mental toil. 
Prompted by Dr. Str(mg's criticisms of his article 
on Preadamites in McClintock tt Strong's C'yclo- 
ptedia, and by the proscriptive course pursued by 
the authorities of Vanderliilt l"niversity, he now 
more carefully studied the question of Preadamites, 
and arranged the results of his research in a volume 
which in 1880, was published by S. C. Griggs tk 
Co. of Chicago. Meantime, in 1879, he was re- 
called to the University of Michigan and assumed 
the chair of Geology and Palaeontology, which lie 
still holds. On a.ssuming this chair he prepared an 
extended Syllabus of a year's course of lectures in 
geology, with copious referenci'S to authorities. In 
1881 appeared ins "Sparks from a (ieologist's 
Hammer" in which are gathered productions ex- 
tending over quite a range of themes fror. de- 
scriptive to philosophic. 

For years he had prosecuted at intervals, as time 
permitted, a literary enterprise which now was on 
the point of provisional abandonment, but which 
had absorbed so much of his time and attention 
that it ought to be mentioned. From his early 
vears the relaticm of religious faith to intelligence 
bad deeply interested him, and he had earnestly 



defended, on many^ occasions, the harmony of re- 
ligious faith witli science and philosophy. He had 
written ovei' tliirty articles for the Ni)rt1nrexi(^ni 
Christian Adroratc on the solicitation of Editor 
Dr. Edd\-. He had delivered several courses of 
lectures in one of the churches at Ann Arbor as a 
sort of Bil)le Class exercise which hundreds of 
students from the University had attended. Finally, 
he was requested by INIessrs. Hurst & Crooks . to 
write a volume on the general subject for the 
'•Theological and Biblical Library" which they 
were editing, and such an arrangement was an- 
nounced ill the first volume of tke "Library," in 
1871). This promised volume was then far ad- 
vanced, some three hundred thousand words being 
in m.anuscript. Subsequently, however, he learned 
tiirough a friend in ofHcial position that the sus- 
l)icions resting against iiis "orthodoxy" would 
imi)air the authority and usefulness of the com- 
templated volume, as was feared, and he accord- 
ingly desisted from continuance of work under the 
arrangements. No word of correspondence how- 
ever, has passed between him and the editors of 
later date than 1879. 

Ill the realms of science no contemplations have 
proved more fascinating to him than those on the 
unity of nature — especially the unity of the jjliysi- 
cal world. He early embr.aced the theory of the 
nebular origin of the world. He developed the 
jjerniinal conception in hundreds of lectures and 
l>latform addresses into a panoramic view of a 
world's life time. Thousands have professed them- 
selves fascinated by the grandeur of the thoughts 
set fortli. With a view to bringing his reasonings 
and speculations into a complete system, and giv- 
ing them a more scientific enunciation than could 
be done in popular lectures, he prepared a work 
which was published in 1883, by Griggs d' Co., 
under the title of "World Life or Comparative 
Geology." This, while suited for general reading 
among thoughtful people, has been adopted as a 
text book in several institutions of university 
grade. 

Long impressed with the conviction that geol- 
og.y could most advantageously be presented to 
])upils according to the inductive or observational 
method, he i)lanned an elementary text book as 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



563 



earl^' as 188L Tliis, however, was not written be- 
fore 1883. It w.as published May, 1884, by Griggs 
& Cc, nil der tlie title of ''Geological Excursions, 
or the Rudiments of Geologj' for Young Learners." 
This book is specially intended to promote the 
study of geology in primary schools, and to enable 
teachers without geological training to take the 
charge of elementary classes. 

In j)ursuance of the same objects he entered on 
the prejjaration of a text book for learners of more 
.Tdvanced years. The result is his "Geological 
Studies; or Elements of Geology for High Schools, 
Colleges, Normal and otjier Schools." Both these 
text books are meeting with a cordial reception. 

During several years back Dr. J. II. '\'incent in 
letters and interviews had expressed a desire that 
Prof. Wiuchell prepare a book on geology for the 
Chautauqua Literar}^ and Scientific Circle. Finally 
a delinite understanding was reached in December, 
1885, and a contract was made with Messrs. Phillips 
it Hunt, of New York, for the preparation of the 
manuscript. The work was completed and trans- 
cribed and the manuscript in the publishers' hands 
by the lilth of March, under the title of "Walks 
and Talks in the Geological Field." It was much 
regretted liy the author that it did not appear 
practicable to introduce any illustrations. It was 
hoped, however, that those using the book would 
have access to the illustrations in some of the 
writer's other works — mere particularly, his geol- 
ogical studies. 

In the midst of other literary and scientific work 
he has within a few years prepared numerous arti- 
cles for reviews and magazines, including the 
"North American Review," '-The Forum," "The 
Honiiletic Review," "The Methodist Review," and 
critical articles for "The Dial" of Chicago. 

He was designated by the University Senate to 
deliver commemorative addresses on occasion of 
the deaths of Prof. James C. AVatson, ex-Pres. E. 
O. Haven and Prof. H. F. Cocker. He is engaged 
in geological work under tlie auspices of the Uni- 
ted States Geological Survey. During the entire 
summer of 1886 he served the State (ieological 
Survey of Minnesota in the region north of Lake 
Superior, where his duties kept him most of the 
time far beyond the reach of mail communication. 



A report of the work done in tliis interesting 
region remains to be prepared. 

Prof. Winchell in 1867 received the degree 
of Doctor of Laws from the Wesleyan University. 
He has been elected "Corresponding" or "Honor- 
ary" member of most of the Scientific Academies 
and Societies of the United States and of many in 
Europe. He is a Fellow of the American Associa- 
tion for the advancement of Science, and has been 
a member since 1850. 



SCAR EASTON. Among the fanners and 
representative men of Lima Township we 

i^ are gratified to present the name of this one 
whose success here has certainly entitled him to 
consideration. His father was Enos Easton, a na- 
tive of New Jersey who in early life removed to 
Seneca Count3', N. Y., and afterward to Y'ates 
Countj' where he spent the remainder of his life. 
His marriage had taken place in New Jersey with 
Sarah Drake, a native of that State, and to them 
were born seven sons and six daughters. The 
mother died in 1827 and the father was again mar- 
ried to Mrs. Margaret (Drown) Niece who had two 
sons and two daughters. The father was not only 
a farmer but in earl^' life pursued the trade of a 
weaver. He was a Whig in politics and took an 
active part in the War of 1812. His son Mark, a 
half-brother of our subject, died "in the army dur- 
ing the Civil AVar. 

Our subject was born October 14, 1825, in Mid- 
dlesex, Y'ates County, N. Y'., and when thirteen 
years of age he came witli an elder brother to 
Michigan where he has since resided, with the ex- 
ception of four years which he spent in New York. 
In 1846 he and a brother next older, not the one 
with whom he came to Michigan, purchased one 
hundred and twenty acres, of which Oscar has him- 
self cleared thirty acres, and he now owns the en- 
tire farm to which he has added .forty acres. Of 
his brothers and sisters all of the first familj' have 
died except one brother, and among the younger 
ones only one brother and two sisters are living. 
His sister Salina was for fourteen ^ears a teacher 



364 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



in India since which time she has traveled and 
lectured in this country, presenting the cause of 
the missionaiy society. 

Oscar Easton and Matildn J. ^^'llitaker were mar- 
ried on the 6th of March, 1 85 1 . They were married 
in Lima Township at the home of the bride's fatiier, 
Isaac Whitaker, who came to this State in 1837, 
and was one of the early settlers in this section. 
Mrs. Easton 's mother was Achsah (Cushman) Whit- 
aker, a native of New York, to whom were born 
four sons and three daughters. Mr. Whitaker had 
been a soldier in the War of 1812 and was for 
some years Highway Commissioner of Lima Town- 
ship. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Easton have been born Ave 
children: Edwin L. who married Cora Litchfield 
and resides on his father's farm; C. Herman married 
Sarah Smith; William A. married ^lae Phelps, and 
lives in Scio Township; Minnie M. who died in 
1891, and Cora B.,.the wife of Warren W. Wad- 
hams. 






ARTIN 15HKIXIN<; is a prominent citizen 
of Augusta Township residing on section 
3. He is one of the best t3-pes of the Ger- 
man-American element, whose constancy 
to the business in hand, and whose thrift have 
added so greatly to the value of our agricultural 
regions. Mr. Breining is a native of Wurtemberg, 
Germany, and was born June 24, 1836. He is a 
son of Martin and Mary Breining, being the oldest 
of his father's family. He was reared in his native 
country, and there remained until he had passed 
his sixteenth year. 

Mr. Breinig received a fair education in his na- 
tive tongue, and after coming to America attended 
school in this State for three winters and in this 
way has become well posted in not only the En- 
glish language, but in the American manners and 
customs. He emigrated to this countiy in 1852, 
taking passage at Havre, France, on a sailing ves- 
sel, and after an ocean voj'age which lasted forty- 



seven da^-s, he landed in New York, but proceeded 
imraediatelj' to Washtenaw County, this State. 

While in Germany, at the age of fourteen j-ears, 
our subject was bound out as an apprentice to 
learn the cabinet-maker's trade. He served for 
nearly three years, and after coming to tins coun- 
try he put into practice the lessons that he had 
learned of skilled workmanship as a carpenter and 
joiner. This work he followed until about 1879, 
since which time he has turned iiis attention to 
other business. In the fall of 1865 our subject set- 
tled on the farm which he at present owns, and 
since that time has been a resident here, although 
for a number of years after locating at this place, 
he worked at his trade, the work of the farm being 
carried on by other parties. 

Mr. Breining was married December 29, 1859, at 
which time he united his fate with that of Mary 
E. Drayton, who was born in Yorkshire, England, 
November 18, 1840. She is a daughter of William 
and Ann Drayton, the former of whom is deceased; 
the latter resides at tiie present time in Van Buren 
Township. Wayne County, Mich. In 1849 Mrs. 
Breining was brought by her parents to America. 
They resided in Western New York for a number 
of years, and then came to Waj'ne County. Mich., 
settling in Van Buren Township. She is the eldest 
of five children, whose names are as follows: Mary 
E., William, .John, .Joseph and Vernie, who is the 
wife of Adam D. AVise. Mrs. Breining's mother 
has reached patriarchal years, being at the present 
time seventy-six years of age. 

To our subject and his wife have been born 
twelve children, eleven of whom are living. They 
are Lizzie E., Austin M., AVilliam .1.. Melvin S., 
Ralph C, John W., Mary E., Vernie C. (deceased), 
Clarence E., Myrtle L., Lois D. and Laura D., the 
last two being twins. Mr. and Mrs. Breining are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at 
Stony Creek, and are active and helpful members 
of societj\ Our subject is one of the honored 
Trustees of the church to which he belongs. He 
has besides acted as Highway Commissioner of Au- 
gusta Township for two years, and is now serving 
as School Director. He owns a good farm of sev- 
enty acres of land, and in all his labors he has been 
ably assisted by his wife, who has been for years 




FfESlDENCror GEORGE N. HAMM0ND5EC. 10. AUGUSTA TP , WASHTENAW CO MICH. 




RESIDENCE OF MARTIN BRElNll-iG , SEC. 3., AUGUSTA TR, WASHTENAW CO., MICH 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



567 



his loving companion and counselor. Mr. Breining 
is a public-spirited man and generous to a degree, 
lie has been identified for a long time with the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen of Vpsilanti. 
Both he and his wife are well qualified to enjoy 
the comforts of the pleasant home which they have. 
He is possessed of good business capacity and is 
very successful in all his dealings. I'olitically he 
is a Democrat. 

On another page of this volume appears a litho- 
graphic view of the pleasant homestead of Mr. 
Breining. 



m>^^<m 



-{— 



^^EORCiE N. HAMMOND, a prominent farm- 
Ill (— ^ er and stock-raiser in Augusta Township, 
^^ijj is a native of Washtenaw County, and one 
of the types of men whom the locality is proud 
to claim as her own product. j\Ir. Hammond was 
born August 30, 1847, and is the sou of Horace 
P. and Urvilla (Sisson) Hammond. The former was 
a native of New York State. Our subject's parents 
emigrated to this county and located in tlie neigh- 
borhood half a century .igo, finally settling on 
section 3. Mr. Hammond, Sr., died, aged eighty- 
one yeai's. He was a venerable and imposing fig- 
ure among the pioneers that still linger as a re- 
minder of those who have worked for the present 
comforts and advantages that are enjoyed. Our 
subject's mother is a few years younger than the 
father, and she is the oldest pioneer of Augusta 
Township. Of seven children born to them, six 
survive. 

The children of which our subject is one are 
Linda, the wife of R. ^loorman; Oeorge N., Morris; 
Walter, who is deceased; David A.. Henry; Thetis, 
who is the widow of Heman Leonard. Prof. 
David A. Hammond is Superintendent of the 
Charlotte (Mich.) Schools and is also a member of 
the State Board of Kducation. Our subject's 
parents; settled in the woods on coming to this 
State and exi)erienced the usual privations and 
hardships subject to pioneer life. George N. was 
reared to manliood in this county and early became 
familiar with the duties of a farmer lad and also 



some features of agricultural life to which farmer 
boys of this time are entire strangers. 

Mr. Hammond has in the past done a good deal 
of pioneer work. He received the rudim(nts of 
his education in the district schools of his neigh- 
borhood. He was the eldest son of his family and 
as his help became valuable he could be illy spared 
from the farm work, hence was denied higher edu- 
cational advantages. He has, however, made up 
to some degree for his privations in this respect by . 
individual effort. Our subject was married Dec- 
ember 20, 1877, to Miss Francelia Abbey, a daugh- 
ter of Henry and Susan Abbey of Augusta Town- 
ship. Mrs. Hammond was born in Madison, Madi- 
son County. N. Y., May 24, 1844. By this union 
there was one son, Milo, who was born January 
25, 1879, and a daughter. Myrtle S., who was 
born October 19, 1H80, and died October 28, 1888, 
aged eight years and nine days. 

Mr. Hammond is the owner of a good farm com- 
prising eighty ac'-es of land. He and his family 
live in comfort and the ease which they enjoy is 
the result of his unceasing effort and industry, for 
he was not born with silver spoon in his mouth, 
nor did the fates shower coin upon him unearned 
in earl>- manliood. Although loyal to the interests 
of Ins township and interested in its progress, he 
has never been ambitious to hold local office, al- 
though he has been at various times solicited to 
become a nominee. He is a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church at Willis, this State, while his 
wife is a member of the Congregational Church at 
Augusta, and both are respected and honored mem- 
bers of society. Mr. Hammond is classed among 
the pul)lic-spirited, progressive and enterprising 
citizens of Augusta Townsliip and enjoys to the 
fullest the confidence of the business community. 

A view of the pleasant rural home of Mr. Ham- 
mond is presented in connection with this l)iogra- 
phical sketch. 

i-O^ 



farm. 



ACOB BREINING. The gentleman, who 
now holds the office of Supei'visor of Free- 
dom Township, is a resident of section 26, 
of that township and there owns a fine 
;\Ir. Breining is a son of .Tacob Breining, a 



568 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



native of Wurtemberg, Germany, who died in 
August, 1853, at the age of fifty-three years. In 
his youth, he learned the cooper's trade and was 
occupied with that for many years, but during his 
later years was a farmer. Our subject's mother 
was Mary (Reitmiller) Breining, a native of Wurt- 
emberg; she died in February, 1864, at the age of 
sixty-two years. Her marriage took place in Ger- 
many and there sh(! and her husband lived until 
1836, when tlie^' came to America. Their arrival 
in Michigan was in .luly, 1836. 

On the location of our subject's parents in this 
township, they settled on the farm which Mr. 
Breining now owns. The father was one of the 
first (ierman settlers in this township. The first 
tract of land, which he purchased, comprised forty 
acres which were all in a wild .State, being heavily 
timbered. After building a log house, he found 
himself in debt to the extent of *100, but before 
his decease, his place was entirely unincumbered, 
he had added forty aei'es and placed upon it valu- 
able improvements. While in his native land, 
Jacob Breining, Sr. had served for six months in 
the German army. He and his wife were members 
of the Evangelical Church, they being among the 
first members of that denomination which was 
organized here in 1840, at that time there being 
not more than nine or ten members. He was an 
active and enthusiastic woiker in this direction. 
Politically a Democrat, in important issues he was 
an active worker in local polities, and was greatly 
interested in educational affairs. 

Mr. and Mrs. Breining, Sr. were the parents of 
seven children, five of whom are now living, al- 
though Jacob Breining is the onl_v one who is a 
resident of this township. He is the eldest of the 
famil}' and was born August 19, 1827, in Wurtem- 
berg, German J-, and was in his ninth j-ear when 
his parents came to Michigan. At that early day 
the country was very wild and the forests 
abounded with wild animals. Our subject's father 
was a great hunter and on first settling here he 
supplied the family larder almost entirely, as far 
as meats are concerned, with the vicitims of his 
rifle. He was a fine marksman and had experience 
as a woodsman, having served as gamekeeper in 
German^-. 



In his boyhood Jacob Breining attended school 
in the district in which he now lives and there ac- 
quired a practical knowledge that has been of 
great aid to him in his after life, although the 
system and theories in practice at that time were 
not what tlie^- are to-day. At the age of fifteen 
years, he went to learn the carpenter's and joiner's 
trade and after serving an apprenticeship of three 
years, he began to work at it for himself and was 
thus emploj'ed for seven years longer. According 
to the old time custom, he was subject to his father 
until he had reached his majority. After that 
time he worked for himself and at the age of 
twenty-five years he assumed charge of the home- 
stead, which at that time had increased in propor- 
tion to one hundred and twenty- acres. Since then 
he haii added forty acres more and now has ninety 
acres under the plow. For the past twent3^-nine 
years he has been proprietor of this farm and after 
the death of his father he cared for his mother un- 
til her decease. 

In 1854 Mr. Breining was married to Miss Just- 
ina AVidmeyer, a native of the same place as is our 
subject and born in Januaiy, 1830. She came 
to America about 1847-48. She is well educated 
in the literature and .sciences of her native land. 
Six children came in time to grace the home of 
our subject and his wife. They are by name. 
Justina, who is the wife of Jacob F. Stabler and 
lives in Lodi Township, having four children; 
Christina who is the wife of Joseph Feldkamp and 
lives in Lodi Township; Mary Ann, the wife of 
William Wacker, who lives in Oregon and has three 
children; J. Frederick and William M., both of 
whom live at liome and Charles G. who resides in 
Ann Arbor. 

Mr. and Mrs. Breining are leading meml)ers in 
the Evangelical Church in which our subject has 
been Trustee for the past ten j'ears. He is a man 
who believes in the potency of individual power 
as brought about b}' education and has given his 
own children every advantage possible. He has 
been Director of his school district for the past 
twenty years. Always active in politics he early 
espoused the cause of the Democratic party and 
has been a firm adherent of it ever since. In his 
early manhood he was elected Justice of the Peace, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



569 



serving in that position for twenty- two years, and 
was Highway Commissioner for nine years and for 
two years was Township Clerlv. He occupied his 
present office four years, prior to liis present in- 
cumbency, and in 1884 lie was again elected Super- 
visor and has served for seven years. Beginning 
life for himself as a j'oung man, he had nothing 
and has worked up until he has acquired the pre- 
sent handsome property. Years ago he bought 
out the interest of the five other heirs to the 
homestead, so that it is now his property solely. 
Mr. Breining has witnessed the growth of this 
township through all its stages, from a wild and 
barren wilderness to its present beautifully-im- 
proved and productive state. Wliile public spir- 
ited and generous, the major part t)f his attenticm 
has always been paid to his faim. Lately lie has 
engaged largely in raising Durham cattle. 

Elsewhere in this book appears a view of the 
commodious residence and rural surroundings on 
the farm of Mr. Breining. 



w 



'^l AMES B. LIXDSLEY. The farming class of 
America and especially of the northern tier 
of States, is notable for the degree of intel- 
ligence that is possessed among its represent- 
atives. Our suliject belongs to one of the most 
progressive of families and is i^roud o'" the fact that 
his father was one of those fast disappearing land- 
marks of a heroic past — an early pioneer. 

Mr. Lindsley was born on the farm where he still 
lives, October 24, 1834. He is a son of Samuel 
and Rachel (Beaty) Lindsley, natives of Ireland, 
Our subject's father caine to America in 1816, when I 
a young man. He was two months in crossing the I 
ocean. On first landing here he was engaged in i 
the ship yards of New York City for some time, 
and then went to Long Island where he was at ' 
work for four years. He learned the carpenter's ! 
trade while in his native land but did not devote I 
much attention to it after coming here. After 
leaving New York Cit}' he went on to Western i 



New York, to Groveland Township, Livingston 
County, where he and a brother purchased a farm 
of one hundred acres. This they cultivated for 
several years, and in tiie fall of 1833 Mr, Lindsley, 
Sr,, came to Michigan and took up one hundred 
and sixty acres on section 32, Saline Township, the 
deed of which was signed by Andrew Jackson, 
then President, At the same time he purchased 
one hundred and sixty acres just across the line in 
Lenawee County, 

On returning to New York State oui subject was 
united in marriage to Rachel Beaty, who came to 
.Vmerica when quite young. The young couple at 
once came to their new home in Michigan where 
he had built a little log cabin. Not a stick of tim- 
ber had Ijeen cut for several miles around at that 
time and no roads had as yet been laid out, except 
the Chicago turnpike which ran through the town- 
ship. All kinds of game were plentiful and the 
wolves would gather about the house and make 
night hideous with their howls. 

Our subject's father cleared and iin|)roved the 
place and March 27, 1856, departed this life, being 
at the time sixty-eight years of age. In his relig- 
ious preference he was a Presbyterian and before 
coming to this country was associated with the 
Masons, His wife died February 12, 1880. Of the 
four children that were born to them, three lived 
to years of maturity and two still survive. .Tames 
B. is the elder. He was born in the log. cabin built 
by his father and his educational advantages were 
of the most meagre nature. As soon as old enough 
he took part in the farm work, plowing with an 
ox-team, picking up l)rush and burning out stumps. 
After his father's death he worked for eleven years 
on the farm and in 1868 began farming on his own 
account. He has always lived in the old homestead. 

He of whom we write was married April 3, 1884, 
to Annie Snauble, a German lad_y, who was brought 
to America by her parents at the age of four years. 
Four children have graced their union. They are 
Samuel E., James E,, Mary E, and an infant, as 
yet unnamed. After becoming naturalized, our 
subject's first vote was cast for James Buchanan. 
He is an ardent Democrat in his political prefer- 
ence. Mr, Lindsley has held various school offices 
and has served on the Grand Jurj', Mrs. Lindsley 



570 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



is a Baptist in her religious profession. They own 
one hundred and thirty-two acres of land which was 
purchased by his father from the Government; it 
h.-is never changed hands or been mortgaged. He 
iiere raises all kinds of stock. He is a well-informed, 
well-read man and one of the helpful citizens of 
the locality. His father helped to organize this 
school district. The first meeting was held in 
1837 and the second meeting convened in his log 
house. He was one of the most enthusiastic 
workers on the schoolhouse and much of the in- 
side finish is the work of his hands. 



e^+^e 



lYi AMES L. GREGORY is a i)rominent farmer 
in Saline Township, and was born Septem- 
ber 29, 184'). He is a son of William M. 
' Gregory, who is a native of Genesee 
County, N. Y. The last-named gentleman was one 
of the first settlers in the township and a very 
intelligent and highly respected man who took 
great interest in the organization and workings of 
l)ioneer societies, and who was the author of a 
number of ably-written articles on pioneer life in 
his township, which appeared in the Detroit Tribune 
and other papers. AVilliam Gregory was a man of 
unimpeachable character and a high standard of 
honor. He was a very prominent cliurchman and 
much interested in the early organization of 
churches in this portion of the country. 

Our subject's father came to Michigan about 
1831 and located Government land in Saline Town- 
ship, on section 14. He at once built a log house 
and settled in the woods. Indians were then in 
the country in quite large numbers. Mr. Gregory 
cleared and improved a farm. He was a well edu- 
cated man who had studied for the Presbyterian 
ministry, but his eyesight failing be was obliged to 
give up the idea and taught school for several 
years in Genesee County, N. Y., but after coming 
here he followed farming. This gentlemai, died 
in 1881, at the age of eighty years. He was for 
several years Supervisor of the township. A Pres- 
byterian in his church proclivities, he took a prom- 



inent stand in all affairs of the locality. His father 
was l^riah M. Gregory, who served in the War of 
1812. Our subject's mother was, before her mar- 
riage, Miss Sophia A. Lawrence, and siie was born 
in New Y'ork. In her younger daj-s she was en- 
gaged as a teacher, and even after coming to Mich- 
igan was so employed. Her decease took place 
about 1872. Six of the seven children that were 
born to this couple are still living. 

James L. Gregory is the eldest of the paternal 
family. He was born and reared upon a farm and 
enjoyed a common-school education and spent one 
winter at school in Ypsilanti. He remained at 
home until about 1872, when he engaged in farm- 
ing and has been upon the place of which he is 
now owner and proprietor for about twelve years. 
Mr. Gregory was married in 1872 to Miss Martha 
Rawson of Bridgewater Township, til is county. She 
is a daughter of Joseph Riiwsou, a native of Eng- 
land who came to America and located here at an 
early day. Both Mrs. Gregory's parents are now 
deceased, and she herself died in 1886. 

The original of this sketch is the father of six 
children — Mary, Annaj Edith, Clarence, Melville, 
and Charlie, all of whom are bright and interesting 
young peoi)le who are determined to make a way 
for themselves in the world. Mr. Gregory is 
a Republican in his political belief. He is the owner 
of two hundred and twenty^ acres of land which 
is in first-class condition, having been carefully 
improved. He devotes himself to general farming 
but makes a specialty of raising stock, of which all 
kinds of the finer grades are to be found on his 
farm. 



ETP^R DICKERSON, a representative citi- 
zen of Ypsilanti Township, is a native of 
Ontario County, N. Y., and was born May 
27, 1811. His parents were David and 
Margaret (Millspaugh) Dickerson, both natives of 
New York, and in that State their son was reared 
to manhood and from early boyhood engaged in 
farming. His early educational opportunities were 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



571 



but scanty and he has had to depend largely ujjoii 
reading and observation for his mental equii)- 
ment. 

Mr. Dickerson was married in April, 1838, to 
Sarah J. Diclverson, and by this union they have 
had five children, three of whom still survive, 
namely: Oliver; Caroline, wife of Samuel Heteher. 
and Evaline. In 1857 he emigrated with his fam- 
ily to Michigan and settled on his present farm, 
where he has since done . much hard work. His 
l)roperty consists of one hundred and twenty acres 
of land, upon which he has made substantial im- 
provements. In the acquisition of this valuable 
estate he has been ably assisted by his faithful and 
eap.ible companion. The}' have lived together in 
harmony and happiness for more than fifty years, 
and throughout that time they have been in every 
way a benefit to the community. 

Mr. Dickerson is warmly attached to the prin- 
ciples of the Republican iiarty and is ever ready 
with his influence and ballot to advance its inter- 
ests. He has served as Township Highway Com- 
missioner for several years, and has also been 
Drainiige Commissioner for a considerable period. 

Mrs. Dickerson is a native of Orange County, 
N. Y., and was born January 12, 1820. Her par- 
ents were Abram and Lueretia Dickerson, and her 
paternal grandfather was one of the Revolution- 
ary heroes. In April, 1888, Mr. and Mrs. Dicker- 
son celebrated their golden wedding, and on that 
occasion, which was made a most delightful one, 
each of these vener.able and beloved citizens was 
]ire.sented with a handsome pair of gold bowed 
spectacles. 



«^ 



lif^/ATHEK WILLIAM DE BEVER. The p.a.s- 
ilri^g) tor of St. John's Catholic Church, of Ypsi- 
'1 lanti, does not believe that a long face and 

sanctimonious airs are necessary to a truly religious 
life, for he himself is one of the most genial of men 
and loved by all with whom he comes in contact. 
He is witty and often turns this gift to use as a 
scourge with which to lash his recreant parishioners. 



He came here in January, 1876, and has woiked 
hard to establish his church firmly. It is now con- 
sidered the most successful in the State. He is a 
native of Holland and was born in the Province 
of North Brabant, April 28, 1830. He was there 
reared and educated until 1868, spending his boy- 
iiood on a farm until ten years of age. 

At the age above mentioned our subject became 
an inmate of a boarding sciiool. He completed a 
classical course at the seminary at the age of nine- 
teen, and then entered the Grand Seminary of 
Bois Le Due, where he continued the study of 
philosophy and theology for six years, completing 
liis course at the age of twenty-five. In 1855 he 
was ordained at the Cathedral at Bois Le Duo liy 
Archbishop J. Zuyzen. 

As a priest, Father De Bevers' first charge was 
at Nuland, where he remained until 1868, and 
there built a church. Determining to come to 
America, learning of the scarcity of the ministerial 
force here, he left Rotterdam and after a steamer 
voyage of fifteen da^s landed in New York Au- 
gust 29, 1868. Our subject came to Detroit and 
joined the Detroit diocese under Bishop LaFeove. 
His first charge was at St. Vincent Church, De- 
troit, which is located on Fourteenth Avenue. 
Thence he was sent to Trinity Church, of the same 
place, and then served as pastor at Hubbardston, 
Ionia Count}-, then to W^-andotte, and in 1876 
came here and took the pastorate of St. John's. 

On coming to Ypsilanti, Father De Bever found 
the sanctuary a bare little room, and that heavily 
in debt. Setting to work with all his power, he 
built and furnished a beautiful chapel, and cleared 
it of debt. In 1883 he began the erection of St. 
John's Catholic School and completed it the same 
year. Here provision has been made for two hun- 
dred children, and six sisters are in charge, while 
the Reverend Father is Superintendent. St. John's 
occupies half a block, on the corner of Cross and 
Hamilton Streets. Its founder does not hesitate 
to assert that it is superior to other schools in the 
State, excepting in number. Its teacher has under 
her charge thirty pupils and the curriculum in- 
cludes such practical branches as bookkeeping, sten- 
ography, typewriting and other brandies that fit 
the youth of our day for the practical business of 



572 



PORTRAIt AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



V 



life. They also have the best advantages for 
the study of modern and classical languages. Their 
school year covers ten months and their musical 
department has already made itself a reputation 
throughout the State. He is the spiritual director 
of the Catholic Benevolent Association, which he 
organized in connection with his church. Fatlicr 
Ue Bever is of French ancestry, his family hav- 
ing early moved to Holland. His mother was Ann 
Van lersel. She died in 1868, at the age of 
sixty-nine years, and left a family of four chil 
dren, of wliom our subject is tlie youngest. 



I®^®l 



ILLIAM HERZ. Many a home which is 
Jli beautified by the most artistic designs dis- 
^^^j played on its walls and ceilings is made 
charming by the worlt of our subject, who is a 
dealer in paints, oils, varnishes and glass with 
painters' supplies. Besides doing the practical and 
preserving worit of house and sign painting, he is 
a most artistic frescoer and decorator. His place 
of business is located at No. 4 West Washington 
Street in the city of Ann Arbor. 

Our subject is a native of Germany, having been 
born in the village of Egeln, Prussia, in 1849. He 
was the fifth in order of birth of five children, 
born to his parents, Andrew and Augusta 
(Schmidt) Herz, who emigrated to the United 
States in 1866. Three years later the family came 
to Michigan and located in Ann Arbor. Our sub- 
ject's father followed the carpenter's trade during 
his active days; he died March 4, 1885, at the age 
of sixty-three years. His wife followed him Octo- 
ber 27, 1889, being at the time in her seventy- 
fourth year. Only two of the large family of 
children survive at the present time. Charlie the 
elder is now a resident of Terre Haute, Ind., wlierc 
he is a carpenter by trade. 

William Herz, our subject, was pli ced in school 
when six years of age and continued to be dili- 
gent in the pursuit of his studies until fourteen. 
He then learned the painter's trade and afterward 
added sign-painting to his accomplisliments, serving 



an apprenticesliip of three years before consider- 
ing himself to be qualified to do acceptable inde- 
pendent work. After completing his term of 
apprenticeship our subject followed his trade for 
three years. 

In 1869 he of whom we write sailed for the 
United States, landing at New York City and 
thence going to Ann Arbor, this State, where he 
soon after opened a shop and began sign-painting, 
also exterior decoration. He followed this business 
for a number of years and then turned his atten- 
tion to house and sign-painting. In connection 
with his trade he carries a good stock of the sup- 
plies above mentioned. He built his present brick 
storeroom in 1880. It is 22x45 feet in dimensions 
and is two stories in height. He has accumulated 
other valuable property, having been successful in 
his business .ind enjoying a lucrative trade since 
locating here. 

In 1874 our subject was married to Miss Sophia 
Muehlig of Ann Arbor. She is a daughter of Philip 
Muehlig, her parents being natives of (iermany. 
Our subject and his wife are the parents of one son 
to whom they have given the name of Oswald A. 
He is now sixteen years of age and is a fine lad, 
giving promise of making a man of whom his par- 
ents shall be proud. For the past six years our 
subject has served as Alderman from the Second 
Ward He received the popular vote on l)oth 
tickets. 



w. 



/ALLACE W. WORDEN. Tlie city of Ypsi- 
lanti is fortunate in possessing so artistic 
decorator for its palatial residences as 
the gentleman whose name is given above. His 
office and shop is located on Washington vStreet, 
between Congress and Pearl, where he has been 
located for eight years, having been in the city 
since 1869. Mr. Worden was l)oru at Belleville. 
Waj'ne County, this State, October 17, 1865, and 
is a son of Isaac K. and Lj'dia M. (German) Wor- 
den. The father was a native of New York, com- 
ing to Wayne County at an early day. When 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGUAtHlCAL ALBUM. 



573 



our subject was about fourteen years of age, be re- 
moved to Ypsilanti Townsbip, where young Wal- 
lace grew to maturity. 

He of wbom we write received a good common - 
school education in Ypsilanti. He remained with 
his father, who removed to Williamston, Ingham 
County, and staid with him for one and one-half 
years. They then returned to Ypsilanti and the 
parents both still live in this place. After our 
subject left Ingham County he learned the paint- 
er's trade, continuing in that line and gradually 
working into the business of room decorating, 
paperhanging, painting, etc., carrying a full stock 
of the most artistic goods in his store. He han- 
dles the finest line of decorations and wall-papers 
in tlie city, and has a trade that extends far be- 
yonds its limits. He keeps constantly employed 
during the summer about ten men and has been 
very successful in his work. 

In 1890 our subject was elected Alderman for 
the Second Wai-d, which office he still holds. So- 
cially he belongs to the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. His wedded life began December 25. 
1881, his l)ride bemg Miss Rosa A. Boyle, of Ypsi- 
lanti, a daughter of Hugh Boyle, who was an early 
settler here. They ai'e the proud parents of one 
daughter, whose name is Vera Blanche. In their 
religious preference our subject and his wife are 
associated with the Episcopal Church. Mr. Wor- 
den is a man who stands high in the estimation of 
the business community, and also is a leader in 
raimicipal affairs and social life 



i^l^:iG 



^^ OL. ELMER W. BOWEX. This gentleman, 
(|i _ who is the Colonel in charge of the First 
^>^,' Regiment, Michigan State Troops, and is an 
honored old soldier of the War of the Rebellion, 
is acting as Mail Agent between Detroit and Peru. 
He was first appointed by Postmaster (ieneral Don 
M. Dickinson in 1888, to run between Chicago and 
Cleveland, on the Lake Shore and Michigan Rail- 
road, and afterward between Ypsilanti and Hills- 



dale. His re -appointment by Mr. Wanamaker 
placed him on the route where he now is. 

Daniel W. Bowen, the father of our subject, was 
born in Cheshire, Mass., in 1810, and the grand- 
father, Henry Bowen, a native of the same State, 
became an early settler in Cooperstown, Otsego 
County, X. Y. Both father and grandfather were 
farmers, and the latter came to Michigan, in 1854 
and located near Adrian, Lenawee Couut_y, where 
he owned two farms, and there he died in the year 
1877. The mother of the Colonel, who was of 
Scotch-Irish descent and bore the name of Sarah R. 
Richardson, was born near Cherry Valley, Otsego 
County, N. Y., and died at Adrian, in 1869. 

This worthy couple had a large family of chil- 
dren, as follows: Calvin, Deloss, Charles, Lucinda, 
Frances, Emma, Jane, Elmer AV., David, John, Hor- 
ace and Alta. Charles served his country in the 
ranks of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, and John 
and Alta have passed from life. Our subject was 
born in Middlefleld, N. Y., April 8, 1846, and re- 
moved to this State in his eighth year. The duties 
of the farm and the district school employed him 
until he was sixteen years of age, at which time he 
went into the army. 

This patriotic youth enlisted in December, 1862, 
in the Jsinth Michigan Calvary, Company B, and 
at once went South. During his first year he was 
in sixty engagements and skirmishes, and during 
the time of service this regiment was in over one 
hundred battles and skirmishes, marching through 
Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and the Carolinas 
and joining in the march to the sea. During the 
last engagement in which this brave soldier took 
part he was sent b^' his Major across the field of 
battle, and he was shot at by the enemy, l^'ing in 
ambush. His noble horse was shot under him and 
fell on him, holding him down. His first impulse 
was to flee but he was prevented from doing so by 
the weight of his horse, and no doubt his life was 
thus spared. 

The young soldier who had been promoted 
through the ranks of Seargent and First Seargent 
to that of First Lieutenant, now returned home 
without a wound. During the year 1868 he was 
engaged in the manufacture of brooms in Detroit, 
and in 1871 removed to Ypsilanti and six years 



574 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



later erectert a faotoi v for this business, which he 
began to carry on independently. Later he took 
a partner and the firm, which was known as C. M. 
Harris it Co., employed as manj' .is twenty men. 
Subsequently the firm was known as H. I). AVebhct 
Co. and later our subject ran it alone. 

Mr. Bowen was married in Chicago, in 1870, to 
Miss P>lia Davis, a native of Adrian, and daughter 
of Hiram Davis, who had been a merchant there. 
To the three children of this family the Colonel has 
given a liberal education. They are named Edith 
H., Courtney M. and Mabelle G. Col. Bowen is 
the only man who has ever started as a private in 
the Michigan State Troops and worked his way up 
to a colonelcy. As an earnest Grand Army man 
he has been Commander of the Post and delegate 
to the National Encampment. His wife is a prom- 
inent worker in the Womans' Relief Corps. 



m 



^J( OHN ANTCLIFF. There is little need to 
portray the virtues or defend the memory of 
this gentleman, for he lives in tlie affection 
_ of his family and friends as a devoted hus- 
band, kind neighbor and public-spirited citizen. 
He died on Sunday, November 15, 1891, the im- 
mediate cause of his death being heart disease. 
The remains were interred in the Oak Grove Cem- 
etery at ^Manchester, and were followed to their 
last resting place by a large number of those who 
had for many j-ears been his sincere friends. Of 
him no truthful tongue ever spake ill for his life 
presented a clear and blotless page of noble deeds 
nobly done. During the many years in which he 
resided in Manchester Township, he was to the 
people all that is required in good citizenship, 
public enterprise and sympathetic friendship. In 
the love of his estimable wife he found his cares 
lightened, and in the respect of his fellow-citizens 
received the reward of his faithfulness. 

Among the many fine farms of Manchester Town- 
•ship, the one located on section 19, attracts univer- 
sal admiration. That was the home of Mr. Anteliff 
prior to his demise, and through his arduous exer- 



tions it was brought to a high state of develop- 
ment. Mr. Anteliff was one of the natives of Great 
Britian who have liecome pioneer fanners in the 
Wolverine State, and have been identified with its 
development. He was born June 14, 1823, in 
Nottingham, England, where his father, William, 
was also born. The latter was a farmer by oc- 
cupation and left his native land to cross the 
Atlantic and estal)lish a home in the United States. 
He spent his last years in the home of his son. 
passing away at the age of seventy-five. 

Sarah (Turner) Anteliff, the mother of our sub- 
ject, was also from Nottinghamshire and likewise 
came to Michigan in her later j-ears, djing here at 
the age of sixty. They were the parents of ten 
children and there are now two sons and four 
daughters living. John Anteliff is the oldest child 
of the family and remained in England until he 
reached the age of twentj' -seven, when he came to 
Michigan via New York City, thence to Buffalo 
and Detroit, after which he went to Chicago and 
Loekport, 111. After visiting Wisconsin he returned 
by way of Chicago to \\'ashtenaw County, Mich., 
and established himself in Manchester Township. 
Here he built a little log house and partly improved 
the place. 

The first marriage of our subject took place in 
New York, in 1866, at which time he went East for 
his wife, Lydia Wilse, who died in Michigan in 
1884. His second marriage in 1886 united him 
with Mrs. Enfield Case, widow of Anthony Case, 
and a native of Livingston County, N. Y. She 
was born July 13, 1831, and was therefore eleven 
years old when she came to Michigan with her 
parents, Robert and Matilda McNeill. Her two 
children by the first marriage are Maiy, wife of 
Albert Van Riker, of St. Louis, Mich., and Melvin 
A. Case, who is a farmer in .Jackson County, this 
State, 

Mrs. Antclifif's father was one of the earlj' settlers 
of Manchester Township; he took up land from 
the Government and put thorough and substantial 
improvements upon his place which he made his 
home until his death at the age of eightv-eight. 
The homestead of Mr. Anteliff comprises eighty- 
six and one-half acres, all of which is in a splendid 
state of improvement and well-cultivated. He 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



577 



owned forty acres in Franklin Township, twenty- 
three lots in the village of Manchester, besides one 
upon which he ei'ected an excellent house, and also 
had property in XorviUe. Elsewhere in this volume 
ai)pears a view of the pleasant rural homestead of 
Mr. Antcliff. 



ij^'RANCIS F. C. MORIARTY. The office of 
m(g> this gentleman, which is frequented by a 
lE\ " good class of patrons, is located in the new 
bank building at the corner of Congress and Hu- 
ron Streets. He has been in business here for the 
past tliree years, and during that time has had a 
tlattering degree of success. 

^Ir. Moriarty was born in Cayuga County, 
X. Y., June 13, 1862. He is a son of John and 
Catiicrine Moriarty. His father was originally a 
railroad man, but for the past thirty years has de- 
voted himself to farming, and it was to rural life 
and occupations to which our subject was reared, 
iiis home having been in Lenawee County, this 
State. Ilis parents came to Micliigan when the 
cliild was Init ten montlis old. They still live on 
the old place. 

After finishing the High Scliool course at Hud- 
son, young Francis taught school for some time. 
He then went to Vacaville, Cal., where he was in 
the employ of E. W. Gibbs, a large fruit shipper. 
On liis return from California he entered the Uni- 
versity of Michigan, and was graduated from the 
law department in 1887, with the degree of LL.B. 
He then located for a short time each at Adrian, 
Cadillac and Morenci. locating in Ypsilanti in 
1888. The following year he was elected City 
Attorney, and filling that office most satisfactorily 
to the people, he was elected the following spring 
as Cit}- Clerk and Clerk of the Board of Water 
Commi.<sioner.s, and the Council being a political 
tie last spring, the officers gave his ])lace to anothei', 
he being a devoted Republican. 

Socially he is President of the local division of 
Ancient Order of Hibernians and is a member of 



the" Fraternal Mystic Circle of the Catholic Church. 
Mr. Moriarty was married to Mi.ss Lucy Barnes, 
of Ann Arbor, Septemher 17, 1889. Her father. 
John Bai-nes, had died some years previously, 
while her mother still lives at Ann Arbor. Mr. 
and Mrs. Moriarty are the happy parents of one 
child, whose name is Francis Leo, and who was 
born June '20, 1890. Our subject has made a fine 
i-eputation for himself in his profession and also 
does well in his insurance business which he con- 
ducts in connection with his other work. He an- 
ticipates soon going West to locate permanently, 
and man}' will regret the loss of so promising a 
voung man to the community. 



^p^EORGE W. TURNBULL. The thriving 
of (.Chelsea has no more successful or 



^etic firm of lawyers than that of Turn- 
bull & Wilkerson, of whom our subject is the .sen- 
ior member. He is a native of Albert Province, 
New Brunswick, and was born April 5, 1830. He 
is a son of James and Mary A. (Bennett) Turnbull, 
natives of Maine and the Province of Nova Scotia, 
respectively. The former was a boot and shoe man- 
ufacturer. He spent his life in work at his trade 
and died in New Brunswick. Our subject's mother 
died while a resident of Chelsea. 

Our subject continued his father's business in 
Province of New Brunswick until 1859 when he 
came to Chelsea, still carrying on his work until 
about twenty years ago. He did a large business 
but found it irksome to his natural bent, having 
always had a desire to take a position in the legal 
profession. He carried on his studies during his 
working hours and took a broad course of reading 
that comprehended more legal authorities than 
perhaps the majority of lawyers know of. He com- 
menced the practice f)f his profession and has since 
continued it. 

Since beginning his law career ^Ir. Turnbull has 
been President of the Village Council for two 
terms .and has held other responsible offices. He 
has also bought and sold large amounts of real 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



estate and lias an interest in one fine brick business 
block on Main Street where lii> law otticc is located 
on the second floor. 

Our subject was married to Miss Matilda Mills, 
of Canada. By her he became the father of three 
children — William E., Pliebe and Fred. Mrs. Ma- 
tilda Turnbull died in ItSTO and by a second mar- 
riage our subject became the husband of Edith 
Bald win, of Chelsea. This niarria<j;e has been blessed 
bj- the birth on one child — Bert B. Our subject is 
a Democrat in his political affiliation. He served 
during the war from March until September, I860, 
being First Lieutenant in the Eleventh Michigan 
Infantry. During his term of service he was for the 
greater part of liis time on the Court Martial for 
five years. He belongs to the Grand Army of the 
Republic. The family residence is a fine ].)lace on 
Congdon Street, and attractive in ever^' way. 



-^^ 



OL'LS ROHDE. A dealer in staple com- 
modities which are absolutely necessary in 
cit3- life, our subject finds a large trade for 
all the coal, wood, lime and cement that he can 
suppl\- his customers. Now a resident of Ann 
Arbor, wherein is his business, Jlr. Rohde was bom 
in Germany, .January 19, 1843, Ids native place 
being the village of Egeln. He is the second in 
order of birth of seven children, which liisparento' 
family comprise, the}- being Louis and Sophia 
(Hertz) Rohde. His father was a dealer in hides, 
furs and pelt* and for a number of years carried 
on an extensive business; he was by trade a slater. 
He died in the old country in 1870. his wife fol- 
lowing him in 1873. 

Louis Rohde was educated in the common schools 
of his native land and received thorough instruc- 
tion in the practical branches that formed the 
foundation for a thorough education. He left 
school at the age of fifteen years and was then ap- 
prenticed to learn the trade of a hatter and furrier 
which he followed for several years. A life in 
America promising many more opportunities than 
in his native land, he emigrated to the United 



States in 1862, and after landing in New York 
came directly to Ann Arbor and here learned the 
match-inaking business, although he afterward 
worked in a tanneiy. He then started out on the 
road as a peddler of notions and tinware, giving 
several years to this kind of life. 

In 1876 our subject started in the lime and ce- 
ment business, opening an oltice near the track of 
the Toledo & Ann Arbor Railroad. In 1890 he 
added to his business that of the trade in wood 
and coal, dealing quite extensively in both hard 
md soft coal. He also does quite a business in the 
junk line owning several fine wagons which he 
uses in his business. Our subject was married in 
February, 1872 to Miss Magdaliiie Spothalf of 
Fredonia Township, this county. Mrs. Rohde is a 
daughter of George Spothalf, who came to this 
country from Germany. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rohde have the following children: 
William, August, Clara, Charlotte. Albert and Au- 
gusta. They are members of the Bethlehem Luth- 
eran Church of which the father is one of the Trus- 
tees. In politics he is a Democrat, believing 
thoroughly iu the sovereign rights of the State. In 
1871 he made a trip back to German}', spending 
six months in a delightful visit to his old home. 
There he renewed old acquaintances, but was per- 
fectly content to come back to his adopted land 
and here passed the remainder of his days. Our sulv 
ject has a pleasant home on Liberty Street,' the 
walls of the house echoing frequently with the mer- 
riment of the children that are at once the joy .and 
care of their fond parents. 






~^^ 



ytl A M E S P. CLEMENTS, deceased. This 
former resident of Washtenaw County, was 
born in Saratoga Count3% N. Y., seme ten 
miles east of Saratoga Springs. He w.os one 
of a family of nine children, all of whom grew to 
maturity and became the heads of households of 
their own. They were of German parentage. It 
was about the year 1832 that .lames Clements came 
to Michigan, and in the year 1839 he was mar- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



579 



ried to Miss Mary A., daughter of Maj. Daniel 
Finch. By her he liad four children, namely: 
Sara F^.. who became the wife of William H. Rice; 
William S., Millard F. and Edgar D. F. 

William H. Rice, now deceased, was horn in 
Washtenaw County, this State, in 1838, and there 
he grew to maturity, taking his higher education 
in the Normal School at Ypsilanti, and in March, 
1863, he was united in marriage with Sara, the 
daughter of our subject. Unto this union were 
born four children, three of whom grew to ma- 
turity, namely: Fred R., Hattie B., wife of Charles 
M. Irwin, of Wichita. K.as.; Burt C, residing with 
his mother in Ann .\r)ior. Mr. Rice was a son of 
Asa and Susanna (Smith) Rice, who came to Wash- 
tenaw County about the year 1832. 

Mis. James P. Clements, was a native of Saratoga 
County, N. Y., and her father, Maj. Daniel Finch, 
was born about the 3-ear 1778. He served during 
the War of 1812, after wliich he followed farming 
the remainder of his life. He was of English ex- 
traction, and his wife Sarah Peffers was of German 
blood. They were the parents of four children, 
three of whom grew to maturity, namely: William 
P., Eliza and Mary Ann. 

Millard F. Clements, a son of our subject, was 
born and reared in this county, and received his 
education in the Union schools of Ann Arbor. He 
was married in 1877 to Miss Clara, a daughter of 
Albert Seymour, of Ypsilanti, who was a native of 
New Y'ork, but had been a resident of this St tte 
for iiiany years. To this couple have been born 
two children who are still preserved to their par- 
ents in health and life. 



|l^ ON. ANDREW J. LEETCII. A biographical 
|j)lj compendium of Washtenaw County would 
^y!^ he incomplete were not considerable men- 
\f^) tion made of the gentleman whose name 
introduces these paragraphs. Although now largely 
interested in South Dakota property and through 
his varied interests in that State, obliged to spend 
much of liis time in the thriving village of Webster, 



he yet retains his landed interests in this county 
and possesses great love for the place which has 
been his home for many years. A man of intense 
pultlic spirit, he donates liberally to all wortliy en- 
terprises and gives his influence to every measure 
for the promotion of the common good. 

In the fall of 1882 Mr. Leetch went to Dakota, 
where he liouglit some land and the following year 
laid out an addition to Webster, the count3--seat 
of Day County, S. Dak. This thriving village now 
has a population of more than one thou.sand, and 
to it Mr. Leetch coutril)uled land for the Union 
School and four churches. He took up a home- 
stead claim of three hundred and twenty' acres of 
land three miles from Webster and afterward pur- 
chased the remainder of the section, so that he 
now owns six hundred and forty acres of improved 
land, devoted principally to the raising of wheat. 
In 1886 he organized the Webster City Bank, of 
which he has since been President, and is the prin- 
cipal stock-holder. The bank has a capital stock 
of 150,00(1, with $35,000 paid in. :\Ir. Leetch usu- 
ally spends one-half of each year iu Webster. He 
served three years, from 188(5 until 1889, as Com- 
missioner of Da}' County, and was also prominent 
as a member of the School Board during the l>uild- 
ing of the Union School. 

Mr. Leetch was born June 10, 1830, iu Ontario 
County, N. Y'., but has no recollection of his birth- 
place, as he was taken by his parents when one year 
old to Pennsylvania, and in 1835, accompanied 
them to this State. His father, Andrew C, was 
born in Erie County, Pa., and was a farmer of thai 
place. Grandfather Leetch, likewise a farmer of 
Erie County, there passed his entire life. After 
following agricultural jnirsuits in Pennsylvania 
until 1835, .\ndrew C. Leetch removed to Michi- 
gan, where he settled in W.ayne County. The 
Westward journey was made by canal to Buffalo, 
thence by boat to Detroit, and from there by team 
to Canton, in Wayne County. .\ home was estab- 
lished in the woods, and the members of the family 
worked .assiduously to clear and improve the ])l.ace. 
In 1875, the father selling the farm, removed to 
Ypsilanti, where he died in 1878. A member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, he was a pillar in 
his denomination. After voting the Democratic 



580 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ticket until 1854, he joined the ranks of the Re- 
publican party, of which he was ever afterward an 
active adherent. He married Miss Betsey Pool, a 
native of New York, who died in Canton in 1854. 
There were six children in the family of Andrew 
C and Betsey Leetch, and of these our subject was 
the eldest. He received his earlj- education in the 
pioneer schoolhouses, and later was a student in the 
Union Seminary at Ypsilanti. When fifteen years 
old he commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter 
at which he worked in Canton, and when twenty 
j'ears old began to operate as a contractor and 
builder. He aiso taught three winters. Later he 
purchased a farm of one hundred acres, but con- 
tinued at his trade of a contractor in Canton. In 
the fall of 1860 he was nominated on the Republi- 
can ticket as the Representative of the people in 
the State Legislature, and was elected, serving two 
years during three sessions, one regular and two 
extra. Among the various committees on which 
ho worked the most important was the Committee 
of Elections, and while representing the people, he 
endeavored to defend their interests and promote 
their welfare. 

In 1863 Mr. Leetch purchased a farm of one 
hnndred acres in Superior Township, where he re- 
sided one year, thence removing to Ypislanti, 
where he engaged in the grocery business on C on- 
gress Street for about one year. In connection 
with David Wise he bought the Eagle Brewerj- and 
managed the same for five years; selling out in 
1869 he started in the drug business, but one year 
later his health failed, and he traveled extensively 
for two or three years, hoping to regain his former 
physical strength. He visited Colorado, Nevada. 
California, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and other 
States, but it was not until 1876 that he felt sufll- 
eiently recuperated to take up his former occupa- 
tions. At that time he engaged in farming in 
Superior Township and remained on the same place 
until 1880. In 1882 he visited Dakota and lias 
since been greatly interested in the prosperly of 
that State. He usually passes his winters in 
Georgia, Florida or California, so that his friends 
in Washtenaw County see far less of him than they 
desire. 

In 1856 Mr. Leetch was married to Miss Lois 



A'oorhees, a native of Superior Township, where the 
marriage was solemnized. Her father, James N. 
Voorhees, came from New York to Michigan in 
1827 and settled in Superior Township, this county, 
where he eng.aged in farming. Socially Mr. Leetch 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Royal 
Arch Masons, the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men and the Knights of Honor. He is a stanch 
adherent of Republican principles, and religioiislv 
is identified with the Episcopal Church. 



^^f MARIAH CONKLIN, M. D. The value to 
( @//J| i any community of a professional man 

/// (i is not marked merely by his learning 
^ll and skill, his proficiencj* in medical and 

surgical practice, but also by his character both 
private and professional, his honorable adherence 
to medical ethics and his personal integrity and be- 
nevolence of purpose. When a physician combines 
these characteristics it is with great j)leasure that 
we record his life work and such a man do we find 
in Dr. Conklin. 

This ijhysician of Manchester had his birth in 
Dutchess County. N. Y., January 20, 1822, and his 
father, Ebenezer H. Conklin, a native of Vermont 
was also a physician, and was reared in New York. 
He was the son of Benjamin Conklin, a Verinonter 
and a Captain in the Revolutionary AV'ar, who was 
a merchant by profession and died in the State of 
New York in 1826. The parents of Benjamin 
Conklin emigrated from Wales to America in the 
early settlements of the Colonies. Lucy Winches- 
ter, the mother of our subject, had her birth and 
early training in Dutchess County, N. Y., and lived 
to attain the age of seventy-five years. Her father, 
Amariali Winchester, was also one of the Revolu- 
tionary heroes and his good wife, Mary (Follett) 
Winchester, was a native of New York and during 
the war w.as taken prisoner by the Indians at the 
time of the Wyoming Massacre, at which time she 
lost her first husband, several years previous to hei- 
marriage with Mr. Winchester. 

Dr. Ebenezer H. Conklin emigrated from New 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



581 



York to Sharon Township, Washtenaw Countj', in 
1832. Here he took up four hundred and eigfhty 
acres of land and began clearing away the timber 
and built a log house. During the years 1839 and 
1840 he lived in Manchester village, but returned 
to the farm before his death in 1841, at the age of 
sixty-one years. About this humble fireside gath- 
ered two daughters and three sons, and the parents 
had the joy of seeing them all grow to man's and 
woman's estate, and the satisfaction of watching 
them establish homes and families of their own. 
They are by name Amariah, our subject, C3'nthia 
(deceased), Goodrich, Mary and Ebenezer. 

The eldest boy was a child of ten years when the 
family emigration was made to Michigan, and he 
had attended school in his native home. After com- 
ing here he studied in the first frame schoolhouse 
that was ever erected in the township of Sharon 
and when sixteen years old he came to the village 
of Manchester, for further advantages, after which 
he returned to New York and took two terms at 
the seminary in Ameniaand later studied for one 
year at the Y'psilauti Seminary, one year at Grass 
Lake Academy, and then undertook his medical 
studies with his father. In 1848 he went to New 
York City to attend medical lectures at the I'ni- 
versity of the City of Nc^w York and the Detmold 
Institute, and in June 1849, established himself in 
Manchester where he has since carried on the prac- 
tice of medicine. 

The first marriage of Dr. Conkliu took place in 
1851 and he was then united with Sophia Lord, 
who died shortly after her marriage, .and the sec- 
ond marriage in 185.3, united him with Lovina A. 
Carpenter, daughter of Morgan Caipenter. Two 
sons and two daughters have blessed this union, 
Ebenezer M., A. Benjamin, Sophia and Julia M. 
Both sons are following the professional career of 
their father, .and Sophia is now the wife of Ira 
Glover. 

The office of Township Clerk was ofl'ered to Dr. 
Conklin in 1864, and he received the election and 
filled the office for many years, and since 1879 he 
has with the exception of two years been the Pres- 
ident of the Village Board at [Manchester. He has 
been Justice of the Peace siuce 1884, and besides 
being a Notary Public and a member of the School 



Board, he is the local Surgeon for the Lake Shore 
and Michigan Southern Railroad. In all these of- 
fices he has shown a marked ability and faithful- 
ness and has the regard of his constituents. 



ICHARD WALSH, Sr. A fine type of an 
Old World Irish gentleman is he whose 
name is at the head of this sketch. He was 
born in Kilkenny, Thomestown Parish, 
March 25, 1810, and is a son of James and Julia 
Walsh who emigrated to America in 1827. After 
spending one year in Quebec, Canada, they re- 
moved to Rochester, N. Y., where they lived until 
1836. In that beautiful little city his mother de- 
parted this life September 9. 1828. Our subject's 
father later came to Michigan and located in Wash- 
tenaw County. He here died October 4, 1848, his 
decease t.aking place in Dexter Township. 

James Wiilsh had been a fisherman at New- 
foundland when a young man and had taken ex- 
tended cruises from AVaterford. While in New 
York he lived on a farm. Our subject was one of 
a family of two, both being boys who came to 
Michigan with their parents. Our subject's brother, 
Joseph, died in Dexter County, December 31, 1855, 
at the age of fifty-two years. 

On his father's decease Richard received fifty- 
five acres of the landed estate that was located 
here in Michigan. He afterward added forty acres 
and in 1853 he came to Webster Township and 
has since made that his home. While in Rochester 
he had learned the cooper's trade, and combined 
that with his farming interest after coming to this 
State. In 1853 he located upon his present fine 
farm which at first comprised one hundred and 
sixty acres. Since that time he has added one hun- 
dred and twenty acres and also forty acres so that 
his landed possessions now aggregate three hundred 
and twenty acres. Mr. Walsh devotes himself to 
general farming. 

Our subject was married .luly 10, 1837, in this 
county to Mary Doody, who was born in Ireland 



582 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



in 1817. She was a diiugliter of Nicholas and 
Bridget Doody, wlio like our subject's parents first 
settled in Rochester, making the change to this 
State at the same time with liis family. Mrs. 
Doody 's maiden name w.ns Bridget Grace. Mrs. 
"Walsh still survives and is a fine old lady. Twelve 
children have been given into the keeping of 
our subject and his estimable wife. Of these 
ten arc now living. They are James, Julia, Brid- 
get, Nicholas, Mary. Richard J.. Thomas, Alice and 
Ellen who are twins, and John D. Edward and 
Margaret died in infancy; Julia is the widow of 
Daniel Gniou and resides in (irand Rapids; Mary 
is Mrs. Timotliy O'Brien and resides in Alphine, 
Kent County this State; Thomas who lives at home 
with his parents married Julia Foran; Alice is Mrs. 
Richard iMc(Juillin and resides in Leslie, this 
State; Ellen is ^Irs. James Devine .nnd lives in 
Webster. 

Our subject is a Democrat in politics. He is 
also in his religious belief a Roman Catholic, be- 
longing to the church at Dexter. In early days 
our subject's father was captui-ed by the French. 



^■-^^^ 



I'Fl'S KXKtIIT, deceased. The name wliieh 
we now give was for many years counted 
Ai \ as among the pioneer farmers of Washtenaw 
County, and although Mr. Knight has now 
passed from earth's activities it is but just and sat- 
isfactory that we recount liis life narrative among 
those who have done excellent service in subduing 
the wilderness and bringing it into its present 
splendid condition, physically, socially and morally. 
He was born in Rutland, Vt.. May 12, 1799, and 
his father, Abel Kniglit, w.as the son of an English- 
man. Our subject w.as one of eight children, of 
whom two are living, his brother Ira being a resi- 
dent of Gaines, Lenawee County. 

He of whom we write was a miller by trade and 
came to Washtenaw County in 1825, and here sec- 
ured three tr.acts of land, one eighty acres and two 
fractional pieces of (Government land. He was 
reared in Middlebuiy County, \t.. but liad spent 



some time in Wheatland, Genesee County N. Y., 
five years in a mill and some time in a store with 
a merchant named Garbit. When he came to this 
county it was with a company' among whom were 
David Scott who located near Ann Arbor. 

After making his first visit here, Rufus Knight 
returned to New York for a year and in the fall 
of 182G came again to Michigan and passed the 
winter at Mr. Scott's where he was married Feb- 
ruary 18, 1827, to Miss Sallie, a daughter of this 
family who was born July 29, 1808. He at once 
began improvements upon his farm and during 
the many years upon which he resided here he ac- 
complished great things. His death occurred Aug- 
ust 1, 1871, when he was seventy years old and 
the original tract of land still remains in the 
family. 

When the first mill was erected at Ann Arbor 
an accident occurred by which the miller was killed 
and Jlr. Knight w.as called upon to operate the 
mill. He did so and ground the first grist which 
ever went between the stones in this county, and 
for two years he ground all the wheat that was 
raised in the county. His marriage w.as also the 
first one put on record in the county archives. Of 
the first four children of this union two died and 
those who survive are David and Harriet. 

The first Mrs. Knight died June 15, 1833, and 
her husband was married in May, 1835, to her 
youngest sister Lamira who survived until March 
23, 1889, when she passed away in her seventy- 
fourth year. The oldest surviving son, David, is 
a farmer near Lansing. Mich.; Sarah married Anth- 
ony Pacey and died October 2, 1869,inSeio Town- 
ship; Sylvester died in infancy* and Mary is Mrs. 
Benjamin Phelps, living near Dexter; Harriet and 
Electa have remained at home and have taught for 
a number of years, having been educated at the 
Ann Arbor High School. Mrs. Phelps and Electa 
are children of his second marriage. 

The gentleman of whom we write was an earnest 
and conscientious member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church of Ann Arbor and for many years 
helped to carry on meetings at the Knight school- 
house. He took little interest m politics but de- 
voted himself more fully to the matters of local 
interest and helped to -build up a healthy public 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



583 



sentiment. He was a good neighbor and had a 
helping hand for every one. The famil3^ now cher- 
ish among their chief treasures tlio old family clock, 
which has done service for over sixty years and is 
still in perfect running order. It is one of the first 
clocks brought into the country west of Buffalo and 
is greatly valued by all. The old cobble stone 
house is still in use and as good as ever although 
it was erected as long ago as 1849. 



-^^ 



\!^^^ROF. JOSEPH B. STKEKE. The eminent 
j Jl) and able Professor of Zoology in the Uni- 
; ■^ versity of Michigan, was born in Rollin, 
/ \ Lenawee County, this State, on the 19th of 
February, 1842, and is a son of William M. and 
Elizabeth C. Beal Steere. His father was from 
Belmont County, Ohio, and his mother frpm the 
township of Macedon, being a member of an old 
Puritan family, while the father came from (Quaker 
stock of Pennsylvania. Both the maternal and 
and paternal grandsire lived to extreme old age, 
being well along in their nineties. 

The life of a farmer's boy was the early experi- 
ence of our subject and he remained in his native 
home until he was twelve years old, when his par- 
ents removed to Ionia County, Mich., and made 
their home upon a farm in Ronald Township, and 
he there grew to manhood. The common schools of 
his country home gave him his earliest grounding 
in the elements of an education, and he came to 
Ann Arbor in 1863 and spent one year in the pub- 
lic schools of the city, after which he entered the 
University, taking the classical course and was 
graduated in 1868, when he entered the Law De- 
partment taking his degree in 1870. 

In 1870 the young man began a tour of travel 
in the service of the uuivei'sity, visiting South 
America and spending two years in Brazil on the 
Amazon River, collecting natural history speci- 
mens and visiting all the country along the course 
of that river, going as far as Lima. He then turned 
north along the Andes Mountains to the Gulf. 
He spent two years iu the enterprise, crossing the 



Andes by the Lima cfe Aroya Railroad and- then 
embarked at Peru and in a sailing-vessel crossed 
the Pacific Ocean to China and spent nine months 
on the Island of Formosa, thence returning to 
China and the I'hilippine Islands. From thatgroup 
he passed to Singapore and thence to the Spice 
Islands, Java and the Malaccas. He remained in 
the Pliili|)pine Islands about nine months, and re- 
turned home by way of the Red Sea and the Suez 
Canal, thence to Marseilles in France and by waj- 
of England to America. 

Mr. Steere reached iiome in September, 187.5. 
having been absent from his native land a little 
more than five years. His efforts in behalf of 
tiie university and the true scientific knowledge 
which he had exhibited in his researches for this 
institution soon brought him promotion, and he 
was in 1879 appointed Assistant Professor in Zoo! 
ogy. The same year he took a jrarty of students to 
Brazil during a three months' vacation. 

Upon his return frcmi his Brazilian trip Prof. 
Steere was united in marriage in September, 1879, 
to Helen, daughter of Nathan Buzzard, of Ann 
Arbor. The father of Mrs. Steers was called from 
earth in October following. She is now the mother 
of six children, namel\': Edith who was born Sep- 
tember 20, 1880; James A., January 5, 1882; Bes- 
sie, January 1, 1884: David J., January 8, 1886; 
Helen M., June 20, 1889, and Robert, October 21, 
1890. All of these bright and happy children are 
still beneath the parental roof. 

In 1879 this truly scientific scholar received his 
election as Professor of Zoology in the University 
and in 1887 he obtained a leave of absence and 
took a party of students to the Philijipine Islands 
where he remained for nineteen months and upon 
his return resumed work for the University. Rich 
collections for the University have been made by 
him and he has himself prepared and mounted 
some fifty new species of birds and a iiuuiber of 
mammals. 

During the summer of 1876 Prof. Steere went to 
England and spent months in the British Museum, 
thus giving himself a special preparation for the 
great work which he afterward carried en abroad. 
He has large farming interestsin AVaslitenaw Ci uity 
and lives a part of each year upcn his farm, and 



584 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



(luring the remainder of the year in the city where 
he owns a spacious residence. He is a Prohibition- 
ist in iiis jioiitical affiliations, and although he is 
not an office-seeker he has twice Ijeen his party's 
candidate for the office of Superintendent of Public 
Insructioii. He is a Methodist in his religious be- 
lief and lias held the position of Superintendent 
of the Sunday-school, and in all points he is 
counted on the side of religion and morality. 



UN. EDWARD D. KINNK, .ludge of the Cir- 
cuit Court, of the Twenty -second Judicial 
"^ Circuit, embracing AVashtenaw and Mon- 
roe Counties, was born at DeWitt Centre, 
now East Syracuse, Onondaga County, N. Y., 
February 9, 1842. His father, Julius C. Kinue, 
was a native of that State, and a farmer by 
occupation. He was for a number of terms a mem- 
ber of the .State Legislatiu'c, and was married to 
Rachel AV. Wetherby. who was also a native (jf 
New Yoriv State. The subject of this sketch at- 
tended for a time the district schools, and subse- 
quently the Syracuse High School, up to the age of 
fifteen years, when he commenced preparation for 
college at the Cazeuovia Seminary, New York. 
From here he graduated in 18G(), and entered the 
University of Michigan. He graduated from the 
classical department of the University in 1864, and, 
going to AVashington, D. C, he entered the employ 
of the Government in the Diplomatic Bureau of 
the Treasury Department, and aLso took up the 
study of the law at the Columbian Law-school, in 
AA''ashington. He retained his positic>n for a period 
of three years, and graduated from the law-school 
in 1867, when he was admitted to practice at the 
bar of the District of Columbia. Soon afterward 
he resigned his position under the Government, 
and, coming to Michigan, he located at Ann Arbor, 
where he opened hisotficeand commenced practice. 
He formed a co-partnership with the Hon. Olney 
Hawkins, which continued until 1869. Subse- 
(juently he was for a. time in partnership with 
Messrs. Coleman iV Root, but since ab<>ut 1870 he 



has been alone. His law practice has been large, 
ranking among the first in the county; and liLs 
business, involving his whole attention, has kept 
him to a great extent out of politics. In 1869 he 
was elected City Recorder, and held tliat office two 
terras. In 1871 he became City Attorney, to which 
office he was elected three successive terms. He 
was elected Mayor of the city in 1876, and was re- 
elected the following year. In 1879 he was sent 
to the Lower House of the State Legislature by the 
Republican party of his district, and while a mem- 
ber of that body was Chairman of the CV m nittee 
on Private Coi'porations, and a member of the Ju- 
diciarj' Committee. In 1887 he was elected Judge 
of the Twenty-second .ludicial Circuit of Michigan, 
and entered upon the duties of that office on Jan- 
uray 1, 1888. Judge Kinnc is in tlie vigor of early 
manhood, of medium build, and possessed of great 
vitalit}-, capably of severe and prolonged mental 
labor; a good student and a rapid worker; a strong 
reasoner and a safe counselor. He has a tine legal 
mind, which has been greath- strengthened and en- 
ridied by severe literary and legal training; and 
liy close application and attention to business he 
has fairly and justly won his way to the front rank 
of the profession, and made a grand success of life. 
He is one of the few active and successful practi- 
tioners who have been able, through a long and 
successful practice, so to conduct the varied and 
complex interests submitted to his management 
that his integrity has never been questioned; and 
while it is true that, in the trial of a case, his ad- 
versary has urgent need to hedge himself about 
witli all the defenses known to honorable warfare, 
still his standing at the bar is such that no stipula- 
tion with him was ever required to be put in writ- 
ing. His oral promise was all that was necessary. 
In bis business life he is conservative, bordering on 
timidity; and it is only in the trial of a case where 
great interests are at stake, in the midst of a con- 
flict such as an ordinary man shrinks from, that he 
discloses that tenacity of purpose, independence of 
mind, and personal bravery, of which he is possessed 
in an unusual degree. ^Vs a trial lawyer he has 
but few equals; thoroughly a master of himself 
with an intimate knowledge of his case, of quick 
perceptive faculties, readj- to take ad\-autage of 




J.C.WAXSO M . 



PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



587 



any error, master of any principle of the law in- 
volved in the case, an accurate reader of human 
character, able to discern the motives and purpose 
of a witness as if by inspiration, of inexhausliltlc 
resourses, he is a formidable antagonist, and who- 
ever wins from him a verdict is entitled to it. The 
judge is of easy and graceful manners, free from 
mannerisms, a fine conversationalist, fond of repar- 
tee, possessed of a wit of no mean order, a welcome 
guest in every household, and the center of refined 
and polite society. 

UOF. .TAMES CRAH; WATSON. Not 
more brightly shine the stars which 
were the objects of the unwearied study 
of our subject than shines the char- 
acter and career of one who struggles upwanl 
through hardships and privations, and l)y the 
force of his intellect, his noble ambition and his 
undaunted courage makes for himself even in boy- 
hood a reputation for brilliancy and for faithful- 
ness which places him on the high road to profes- 
sional success. Such was the career of Prof. 
AVatson, whose portrait accompanies this sketch. 

.lames Watson, the grandfather of our subject 
.abandoned his place of birth in Pennsylvania in 
181 1, .and made a home for his family in the almost 
unbroken forest of Canada. The journey was 
taken on foot, and William, the father of James 
Craig Watson, then a child of tender years, was 
placed upon an ox sled which bore the scanty 
household goods of the f.amily. The grandfather 
became a man of wealth in his new home; he also 
posse.ssed a taste for books and learning, iind col- 
lected a valuable lilirary in which he earl_y excited 
the interest and appreciation of his children. 

Prof. Watson inherited no doubt from his grand- 
father ids love of learning, but from his mother. 
Rebecca Bacon, a native of Novia Scotia, he de- 
rived the restless and tireless activity, which ever 
distinguished him. His father who did not find 
success in Canada, emigrated iu 18.50 to Michigan 
and after reaching Detroit the^' were in doubt 
where to locate. But the mother heard a stranger 



remark that the .State University was situated at 
Ann Arl)or and she at once decided that her chil- 
dren should be brought up within the range of its 
influence. The family reached .\nn Arbor penni- 
less and destitute and at once found opportunities 
for employment. The boy here displayed that 
avidity for learning and willingness to adapt him- 
self to circumstances which was a distinguishing 
trait of his character and made rapid strides in 
learning while still working for w.ages. 

At the age of fifteen young W.atson entered the 
I "Diversity as a student and soon attracted attention 
Icir the excellence of his scholarship in every direc- 
lidii. The man who at this time exercised the great- 
est influence over hi* development w.as probably 
Francis Bronnow who had recently been called to the 
chair of .astronomy and the directorship of the new 
observatory. Immediately after Mr. AV'atson's 
graduation in 18i)7 he commenced work as a salaried 
sissistant in thp observatoi'V and at the same time 
contributed valuable papers to scientific periodi- 
cals, ijublishing no less than fifteen papers before 
he reached his twentieth year. In 1H.59 when Prof. 
I'ronuow resigned his chair Mr. Watson was elected 
I'rofe.^sor of Astronomy and upon Mr. Bronnow 's 
return to Ann Arbor, Mr. Watson was transferred 
to the chair of Physics which he held until 1863, 
when Bronnow again resigned and Watson was 
chosen Professor of Astronomy and Director of 
the Conservatory. At the Centennial Prof. Wat- 
son was one of the judges of the scientific instru- 
ments of mathematical works. 

In May, 1860 our subject was united in marriage 
with Annette Helena AVait, of Dexter, who during 
the remaining twenty years of his life w.as an earn- 
est heljJBr not only .in domestic life but also iu his 
professional career. The reduction of the AVash- 
iugton Zones and the preparation of a series of 
charts of stars lying near the Elliptic, and his re- 
ports ujjon the work of the Observatory formed 
the main part of his work during that ten years. 
He was the discoverer of twenty-two minor planets, 
his first planet Eurynoine in 1863 being followed 
in succeeding years until 1868 he contributed six 
to the list which was at that time an unprecedented 
feat. He also discovered two comets, one in 1856 
and another in 1864. 



588 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPinCAL ALBUM. 



Prof. Watson was placed b}' the United States 
Government in charge of the expedition to Mt. 
Pleasant, Iowa, to observe the total eclipse of the 
sun in 1869, and was also sent to Sicily for a simi- 
lar purpose in 1870, and to Peking, China, to ob- 
serve the transit of Venus in 1874, he having 
charge of that expedition. This was his most im- 
portant scientific commission and he undertook it 
fully impressed with the responsibility which it 
imposed upon him, and it was with profound relief 
and joy that he saw his arduous labors connected 
with this expedition crowned with success. The 
return from China was made by the way of India, 
Egypt and Europe and the scientist spent several 
weeks in Egypt at the invitation of the Khedive in 
instructing and co-operating with the engineer of- 
ficers of the Egyptian Arm\-. This work performed 
without pecuniary compensation won for him the 
cordial thanks of the Khedive and the decoration 
of Knight Commander of the Impe*-ial Order of 
the Medjidich of Turkey and Egypt. He was also 
the possessor of two very valuable medals bestowed 
upon him for his scieutilic discoveries in astronniy. 

It had long been the belief of Prof. Watson that 
a planet might be found inside the path of Mer- 
cury and the eclipse of 1878 offered a favorable 
opportunity to search for this body of which he 
eagerly availed himself. lie mounted his tele- 
scope upon the crest of the Rocky Mountains at 
Separation, Wyo., and there gave himself to a 
thorough ex[)loratiou of the heavens. He was 
finally able to announce the discovery of two new 
bodies, one of which he firmly believed to be the 
long looked for Vulcan, and to prove his views to 
the scientific world he gladlj' accepted the oppor- 
tunity now given him of becoming the director of 
the new observatory at Madison, Wis. 

It was with grief that I'rof. Watson bade fare- 
well to the scenes of his boyhooa studies and pro- 
fessional success and upon entering the director- 
ship of the Washburn Observatory at ^ladison 
in the spring of 1879 he found that the tele- 
scopic preparations were far from complete and 
he spent much of the remainder of his life in 
designing and superintending tiie construction 
of these new buildings and apparatuses. He was 
at the time of his death deeply engaged in a novel 



project which he was carrying on at his own ex- 
pense. This consisted of a solar observatory, the 
tube for which pa.ssed through a long hill and thus 
gave him an opportunity to observe at midday 
without being l)linded by the sun's light. He was 
suddenly stricken down by a congestive chill from 
which he partially rallied and then reiapsed and 
died Noveral>er 22. 1880. In all probability the un- 
due exposures which he underwent in the interests 
of science contributed not a little to the untimely 
end of a caieer at once the most brilliant and the 
most promising in the history of Michigan. 

It was while Prof. Watson held the chair of 
Ph^'sics in the Universit3- that he was united in 
marriage with Miss Wait, who had been a student 
in the High School at Ann Arbor and had after- 
ward graduated at the Seminary at Ypsilanti. 
Since the death of the Professor Mrs. Watson has 
resided with her parents. She accompanied him 
on his expedition to China, being his assistant and 
keeping his notes. She also accompanied him on 
his trip around the world. His text books were 
translated into German and French and have 
reached their second edition. The famous Lick 
Observatory at San Francisco was erecte I under 
the orders of Prof. Watson who expected to go 
thither as soon as his work at Madison was com- 
pleted. 



-§!=-- 
-a^^ 



iTfOHN CHAMBRES BIRD, decea.sed. To 
keep green the memory of the departed 
,_-, 1 '"''ioss lives were worthy and filled up with 
f^if good deeds, is an object worthy of much 
effort. Not only do the children of those who 
have passed on to the other world desire to per- 
petuate their memory, but their neighbors and 
friends may well feel that they are benefited by 
rehearsing the incidents of the life that has dosed. 
He of whom we write was born in Mansfield, Mor- 
ris County, N. J., July 13, 1822. His parents, 
Furman and Mary (Davis) Bird were natives of 
New Jersey. The Birds were of (German origin,whose 
ancestors came to this country in the early colon- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



589 



ial days. The grandfather of our subject was 
Edward Bird. Mis mother's father wjis Col. Davis 
who served as wagoniiiaster tliroughout the llev- 
olutionary War. His widow lived to be one hun- 
dred aiul two years old and drew a Colonel's 
widow's pension of 150 a month. 

Furman Bird and his family of nine children, 
among whom .John C. was next to the youngest, 
came to Michigan in 1833 and secured the tract of 
land where the family now lives, one-half mile 
west of Ann Arbor cit^^ limits. This farm of 
eighty acres was the home of the father till his 
death which took place September 5, 1839, when 
he reached the age of sixty-five \'ears. His wife 
survived him until March 18, 1856, when she died 
at the age of seventy- two years. They were mar- 
ried August 16, 1801, and had spent many happy 
years together. His old family clock still beat*i 
time in the household. 

The brothers and sisters of our subject were Eliz- 
abeth Chambres, William S., Samuel, Susannah, 
Elijah, David, Mary, Edward, .John C. and .Joseph. 
Susannah died at the sige of five years and all the 
rest grew to maturity and came to Michigan, 
where they married. All are now deceased except 
David who makes his home in I'nadilla Township, 
Livingston County. Samuel Bird settled in North- 
field Township, this county, and his son still lives 
there while William F., who is a son of David, re- 
sides in Ann Arbor. 

Our subject was eleven j'ears old when the fam- 
ily removed to this State and he remained upon 
the farm until his mariiage which took place at 
the age of twenty-two. From 1845 to 1851 he 
lived in Ingham County, and after that returned 
to the old homestead wiiere he has since made his 
home. The farm consists of seventy-five acres 
and upon it the first peach orchard of ten acres 
was set out in. 1860, and since that time three 
others of tlie same size have been added. Tiie 
father was a life member of tlie Agricultural So- 
ciety and his speciality was fruit. He w.as a .Jus- 
tice of the Peace continuously for a quarter of a 
century and was very popular and useful in that 
office. 

The political tendencies of Furman Bird were by 
early training in the line of Democracy, but he 



cast his first vote for Birney. the Abolition candi- 
date, and afterwards was a Republican and a strong 
supporter of President Lincoln during the war and 
was also an ardent (Jarfield m.an. His efforts in 
cunneetion with .Judge Lawrence were the first 
attempt to put Ann Arbor peaches upon the mar- 
ket an industry which has since grown to enor- 
mous proportions. He also raised apples and had 
about three hundred and eighty trees in his apple 
oi'chard. He became attached to the Presb3'terian 
Churcli in 1836 and w.as active in church work. 
He was a man of large physique and well propor- 
tioned, of equable disposition and thoroughly well 
liked by all who knew him. He died suddenly of 
heart disease, which was hereditary and not unex- 
pected, his death occurring .June 5, 1887. 

.John Bird established a home for himself in 
1844 by choosing as his wife Jane Slatford, daugh- 
ter of .Job and Hannah (Biggin) Slatford, who 
settled in Ann Arbor in 1832, and were both na- 
tives of England. Mr. Slatford w.as a carpenter 
by trade and came from Trowl)ridgetown, Wilt- 
shire, where his daughter .Jane was also born Octo- 
ber 6, 1824. Her father died in 1851, while en 
route to California, being at the time off the coast 
of Mexico. He was buried in the Pacific Ocean. 
His widow survived him until September, 1872. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bird were married on the 5th of No- 
vember, 1844, and they have had the following chil- 
dren: Judson S., Corinna M., .Jennie L. and .John 
M. The eldest son died in Kansas, March 19, 
1882, and the daughters have both remained at 
home. 

The family mourn deeply the loss of this eldest 
son, who was thoroughly educated and very capa- 
ble in business. He graduated in the civil engi 
neering department of tlie University of Michigan 
in the Class of 1870, and was engaged in publish- 
ing county maps, his home being in .Jackson, Mich., 
of which city be was the City Surveyor. He was 
in the employ of the fTOverinent in Texas, where 
he made a topographical survey- of the Trinity 
River. His death occurred March 19, 1882, while 
completing the work in anotlier county-. His tal- 
ented wife took lip the work and brought it to 
conijjlction. Her maiden name was Mary Sears, 
and she had been the preceptress of tlie High 



590 



PORTRAIT AND BIOOItAPinCAL ALBUM. 



School at Jackson and now resides there with her 
son and daughter, John C. and Bessie. This son, 
now aged seventeen, is a student in the Mechanical 
Engineering Department of the Univei-sity of 
Michigan. 

John M. Bird, the youngest sou of our subject, 
is at present carrying on the farm. He married 
Florence AVallier who lias two children — Julia C'vl- 
lania; and a babe unnamed, a little son. The 
daughteis who still brighten the home of their 
mother are young ladies of education and refine- 
ment and honored members of society. Mrs. Bird 
and the other members of the family are connected 
with the Baptist Church. In 1869 Mr. Bird put 
up the beautiful home in which the family now 
resides, which is one of the ornaments of the town- 
ship. 



5agH aapagH ^zii~~-^-^ - 




the firm of 

hardware, 

Street, Ann 

of Remerg- 

heim, Wittenberg, Germany, and was there bom 
October 29, 184.3. He is the son of Andrew and 
Mary (Frank) Schuh, who emigrated to the United 
States and for a time located in Little Falls, N. Y., 
later coming to Ann Arbor. 

The mother survived until 1873 and expired 
when in her sixty-eighth year. They were the 
parents of five children, there being three boys and 
two girls, .and of these our subject is the third. 
In his boyhood he attended school- at Little 
Falls and after coming to Michigan enjoyed 
the advantages of the High School of the city of 
Ann Arbor. After finishing his education he began 
his mercantile experience as clerk in the establish- 
ment of A. Widdman, a hardware dealer in this 
city. After a time he entered into partnership 
with his employer under the firm name of Widdner 
& Schuh, and remained thus connected for ten 
yeiirs. 

In 1873 our subject started in business on his 
own account, at No. 37 S. Main Street. In 1878 
he removed to his present stand. No. 31 S. Main 



Street, where he keeps a complete stock of the best 
hardware goods. He at the same time manufac- 
tures all kinds of tinware that is used in the domes- 
tic line and in house building. In 1883 he formed 
a partnership with Andrew Muehlig and this con- 
nection constitutes at the present time the firm 
tibove mentioned. 

Mr. Schuh was married in 1878 to Miss Saliua 
C'ropsey, of Ann Arbor, a daughter of George W. 
C'ropsey,and the mother of one son — Carl F. Mr. 
.Schuh has been City Tre.isurei' for three years and 
has also been a member of the Committee on Public 
W(>rks for three years. Politically he is i> Democrat. 
He 1ms been Chairman of the Democratic County 
Committte for the jjast six years and takes great in- 
terest in local and county pcditics. His residence 
on Fifth Avenue presents a pleasing appearance 
from without and is charmingly arranged within. 
The store of which he is senior ])artner. is three 
stories in height and proportionately larre in 
width and depth. He carries a very fine line of 
stock and the man who cannot be suited here must 
be hard to [jlease. 



IH^ENSMOKE CKAMER, of the law firm of 
I ]j] Cramer & Cramer, located at Ann Arljor. is 
'\^ a native of New York State and was horn 
in Onandaga County. January 22, 1829. He is a 
son of .Jeremiah Cramer, a native of New York, 
who was born in Montgomery County in 1793 and 
was a son of George Cramer, of Holland descent. 
Our subject's mother was in her maiden days a 
Miss Ruth Lowry, a native of New York, and a 
daughter of Peter Lowry, of German descent. She 
married Jeremiah Cramer at JLircellus, in the Em- 
pire State in 1819. 

Some twenty ye.ars after marriage the jiarent-s of 
our subject removed from New York to \Va.*litenaw 
Country, this State, and located on a farm in Free- 
dom Townsliip, there engaging in general farming. 
He passed the remainder of his days on his farm, 
but died in Bridgewater Township, in 184.5. In 



PORTRAIT ANt) BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



591 



politics he was a Whig and a man of superior in- 
tellectual powers. Our subject's mother died the 
year following the decease of her husband in Lodi 
Township, Washtenaw County. They were the 
parents of a numeroiis family of children, of whom 
six are still living. 

Densinore Cramer was reared upon the home 
farm of his parents and in his boyhood attended 
the district school, afterward going to Ypsilanti 
Seminary, and for one year attended the Lodi 
Seminary where he prepared for college. He sub- 
sequently became a student in Hanover College, 
Indiana, and there pursued his studies for about two 
years and then entered the literary department of 
the University of Michigan, and finally finished 
his course at Hanover College. 

In 1863 our subject entered the law department 
of the University in which he was a student and 
was graduated in i865, after which he commenced 
the practice of his profession at Ann Arbor, to 
which he devoted the most of his time and atten- 
tion up the present date, practicing in all the 
courts, local. State and Federal. In 1891 he took 
in his son Seward Cramer, as partner under the 
firm name of Cramer & Cramer. 

The original of our sketch was married in 18.56. 
to Miss Catharine Twitchell, of Hamburg, Living- 
ston County; this State. She is an adopted daugh- 
ter of Stoddard W. Twitchell, a prominent farmer 
of that count}'. Mrs. Cramer was born in Yates 
County, N. Y., and is of Welsh and English origin. 
Our subject and his wife have become the parents 
of four children. They arc Ismena, who is the 
wife of the Hon. B. S. Waite, of Menominee, this 
State; Seward, who as before stated, is in partner- 
ship with his father; both of the above children 
are graduates of the University. Kate who is a 
member of the senior class of the University of 
Michigan and Alice, who is a member of the junior 
class of the same institution. Mr. Cramer was 
elected City Attorney in 1872, and in 1877 w.-is 
elected Mayor of municipality. In 1884 he became 
a candidate on the Democratic for State Senator. 
He was a delegate at the National Convention 
wliich nominated Abraham Lincoln. 

Besides owning considerable city and county 
proi)erty Mr. Cramer is also owner of one good 



farm, an hotel and is financially prosperous. He 
and his wife are membei-s of the Methodist Episeo- 
l)al Church and are generous of their time and 
means in supporting gospel work. Our suljject has 
a beautiful home located at No. 47 E. Huron 
Street and there he gathers about him the best ele- 
ment socially of the cit}'. The home is merry also 
with the young people that are constantly found 
there attracted by his bright daughters. I'olitically 
he of whom we write is a Democrat, and has been 
for tlie ]jast twenty years but is not a strong i)arti- 
san. 



EVARTS SMITH. The subject of this sketeh 
has acquired a reputation that extends far 
beyond his own locality, as a breeder of 
American Merino sheep in which branch of 
stock-raising he lias been pre-eminently successful. 
He is, however, a general farmer and to the work 
of cultivating his tract of land he adds the raising 
of Short-horn cattle and the breeding of a high 
grade of horses. Residing on section 21, Ypsilanti 
Township. AVashtenaw County, our subject is a 
native of Rutland County, Vt., where he was born 
November 25, 1829. 

He of whom we write is a son of Silas and 
Chloe (Chatterton) Smith, both of whom were 
natives of Vermont. He is of Scotch -English 
ancestry, his progenitors on the paternal side being 
of English origin and those on the maternal side 
of Scotch origin. His great grandsire, John Smith, 
and three of his great-uncles were soldiers in the 
Revolutionary War. Mr. Smith's great-grand- 
father was a compatriot of the hero Ethan Allen 
and was a captain in the Revolutionary War as was 
also one of his sons, another son tilling a post 
as Lieutenant.- Our subject was reared to man- 
hood in his native State and there received 
the advantages of a good common-school educa- 
tion. In 1853 he was united in marriage with 
]Mary R. Chatterton and removed to Essex County, 
N. Y., where their three children were horn and 



592 



I'DR'TRAJt AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



where the mother died in September, 1864. Two 
children born of this union survive — Frank W. 
and Arthur H., Mr. Smith subsequently traveled 
in the South and West and on his return to Rut- 
land, Vt., in the fall of 186,5, he married his second 
wife, November 25. She was formerly Mrs. ]Martha 
M. Brown, the widow of William Brown, of Rut- 
land, \t., and by her first marriage had one daugh- 
ter, Martha Ella, who married Edwin M. McCloud, 
and died leaving a son, William Eben, who makes 
his home with our subject. Of the union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Smith one child has been boni — William 
Evarts. Mrs. Smith w.as reared in Rutland County, 
Vt. Her mother was previous to marriage, Miss 
Mary Warner. She married Guy Spencer and died 
in 1834; her husband dying about 1860. 

In the fall of 1866 Mr. Smith came to Washte- 
naw Count\', this State, and has resided since upon 
his present farm. The previous owner of his farm 
was William Wilson, who purchased the same from 
the Government, and the original patent of the 
land, comprising one hundred and eighty acres, 
and bearing the signature of President .lohn 
Quincy Adams, is in our subject's possession. Mv. 
Smith is the owner of two hundred and twenty 
acres of land, one hundred and eighty of which 
comprise his home farm, and all being well im- 
proved. The place is a model of agricultural 
neatness and taste. The - residence is comfortable 
and conveniently arranged, surrounded by tre(s 
and in the midst of a beautiful lawn. The barns 
are ample and the granaries are capacious. Mr. 
Smith enjoys the confidence and respect of all the 
neighborhood, and has held several township offi- 
ces. He is a Republican in his political preference 
and both^he and his wife in their church relations 
worship with the Presbyterian denomination. 

Our subject was formerly identified with the 
Masonic order and at the present time is a member 
of the Royal Arcanum and of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. He has been greatly interested 
in temperance work from his early manhood and has 
been an advocate of temperance reform, but has 
never been a party prohibitionist. He takes a 
strong interest also in local and county politics. 
Since settling here Mr. Smith lias been engaged 
chiefly in raising fine Merino sheep and the finest 



animals of that breed are brought from his farm. 
He has for several years been Treasurer of the 
Michigan Merino Sheep Breeder's Association. 



\ n < ■ ! < r ^ f<.^ — fa 



AYARD M. MARTIN. The gentleman whose 
name figures above may be counted among 
the old residents of this county, having 
lived here since 1853, although his resi- 
dence in the city extends only over the past eight 
years. Mr. Martin was born in Jlascataway Town- 
ship, Somerset County, N. J., May 18, 1806, and 
is a son of William B. and Katie (McKeel) Martin, 
the former being a mechanic by trade. Our sub- 
ject lived in his native State until twenty-five 
years of age when he removed to New York and 
located in Yarick Township, Seneca County, where 
he worked at his trade, which is that of a mason, 
until he was enabled to buy a farm in Greece 
Township, Monroe County, N. Y., which was ten 
miles northwest of Rochester. 

The original of our sketch was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Elinor Lowden of Varick Township, 
September 9, 1830. The lady is the daughter of 
Jacob and Mary (Leonard) Lowden, and was born 
April 10, 1811. She spent her youth in her native 
place until marriage. The first child born to our 
subject and his wife came to them while they 
were living in Seneca County; they named him 
Jacob H. Their second son, James O., now lives 
in the State of Wiishington ; William resides in St. 
Paul, Minn. 

On leaving Greece, Seneca County, N. Y., Mr. 
Martin bought a farm comprising one hundred and 
thirty-seven acres about two miles south of the 
city on what is known as Paint Creek. The farm 
was well improved, but had been neglected and 
was sadly run down. This he improved and 
there made a fine home. They lived on the 
old home for thirty years almost to a day and 
during that time added valuable improvements to 
to the place. They erected fine barns, planted 
new orchards and vineyards. Finally making up 
his mind to sell the old place, Mr. Martin moved 



PORTRAIT AKD UiOGUAfHlCAL ALBUM. 



59d 



to Ypsilanti and bought a fine home on South 
Huron Street. He is the owner of other proi^eity 
in the city. 

The original of our slcel.ch has retired from 
active business pursuits, liut talces great deliglit in 
attending to his garden, which produces all sorts 
of lucious vegetables and small fruits. In national 
affairs he is a Democrat, but in local politics 
he usually gives his vote to the man whom he 
thinks best fitted for the position in question. Our 
subject's eldest sou, .Jacob H., has a home and 
familj- of his own- — a charming wife and four 
bright children, three daughters and one son. Of 
the daughters, Nellie is now the wife of Asa 
Smith of Bay City; Mamie married A. DeKlera- 
ments of Detroit and Jessie resides in New York 
State. The son is called Jacob H., Jr. Our sub- 
ject's second son, James, is a railroad man. William 
B. has been bereft of his wife who left him two 
sons — Walter T., a resident of Riverside, Cal., and 
William B., Jr., who lives in Wisconsin. Mabel, 
the daughter, is in Ypsilanti. Mr. Martin is one of 
th old settlers in this portion of the country. 

kllTHER PALMER, of Dexter, who is en- 
gaged in the manufacture of fruit baskets, 
crates and all general fruit packages, was 
born in Queensbury, Warren County, N. Y., June 
20, 1824. His father, T. M. Palmer, was a native 
of the State of New York, his parents coming from 
Vermont and Massachusetts respectively. In 1836 
the family removed to Michigan, then be3'ond the 
confines of civilization, and inhabited principally 
by Indians and wild animals. At Scio Mr. Palmer 
found employment in a mill where he worked until 
his death in 1867 at the age of seventy-two years. 
The mother passed away in 1849. 

The family of which Mr. Palmer is a member 
consisted of seven children, of whom four survive. 
One of the daughters, Lola, married A. D. Crane 
and resides in Dexter. A son, Darwin A., was 
a sawj'er and millwright and followed his trade in 
W'ashtenaw Count}-, but died in Mt. Pleasant, 
Mich., in 1888. Our subject learned the trade of a 



millwright at Osborne's Mill, serving an appren- 
ticeship with Lyman Worthington. He followed 
his trade some time and also engaged in house and 
bridge building. In 1847-48, in connection with 
his brother, lie built a mill at Iosco, Livingston 
County. Leaving the mill in charge of his brother 
he engaged in carpentry, contracting, etc., and also 
worked in a machine shop at Dexter three years. 

Ill 1851 Mr. Palmer purchased a farm in Scio 
and there remained until 1869, when he removed 
to Dexter. He was a practical, thorough -going 
farmer, devoting his attention closel}^ to his avo- 
cntion and embellishing his estate with first-class 
buildings. By paying careful attention to the 
cereals best adajjted to the soil and by proper ro- 
tation of crops he was able to reap large harvests 
from the fertile soil. The farm was an old one, 
having been settled in 1824, and comprised one 
hundred and sixty acres. However, about 1869 
the demand of fruit growers became such that he 
was induced to leave the farm and engage in the 
manufacture of fruit baskets. This business has 
grown each year, the sale of berry baskets five 
years ago having been sixty thousand, and in 1891 
one hundred and twenty-five thousand, while the 
average sale of peach baskets is five thousand. Mr. 
Palmer is well known as a reliable dealer and his 
manufactures gave universal satisfaction. 

July 4, 1847, Mr. Palmer and Miss Esther C. 
Lyon were united in marriage, and four years 
afterward the wife passed from earth July 13, 1851, 
leaving one son Lester C. In 1854 Mr. Palmer 
was again married, his bride being Martha Ann 
Hastings, of Iosco, Livingston County. This estim- 
able lady became the mother of three children, 
and died in 1884, mourned by family and friends 
Her children were named: Kate, who is deceased; 
Charles who died at the age of thirteen years, and 
Mattie I. who keeps house for her father and assists 
him in the office work, being correspondent and 
book-keeper. One of the leading vocalists in the 
county, she has accompanied many of the most 
successful revivalists at various points and while 
engaged in teaching music is still receiving in- 
struction from the best instructors. The sweetness 
and purity of her voice attracts universal admira- 
tion .iiid she has been solicited by the Catholic 



594 



PORtRAlt AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



priest to sing in his choir. Mr. Palmer is a strong 
temperance man and in politics adiieres to the 
principles of the Democratic party. On al! subjects 
of importance he has decided opinions, whicli 
carry weight among his fellow-citizens. 



RTHUR A. WOOD, proprietor of Hickory 
Grove Stock Farm, which is located on 
section 27, Lodi Township, is an intelli- 
gent and enterprising gentleman who de- 
votes himself chiefly to the interests of stock-rais- 
ing. He is a thorough master of his business and 
has a reputation throughout the I'nited States as a 
lireeder of Merino sheejj. He is a native of Lodi 
Township and the date of his birth is .Tuly 18, 
18,50. He is a son of Geoi'ge S. Wood, a native of 
Connecticut but now a resident of Lodi Township. 
When about thirteen years old George S. Wood 
accompanied his father, Ira, to New York and 
thence to Michigan where they were early settlers. 
Both the father and grandfather of our subject 
were noted sheep-breeders. 

The subject of our sketch received a good com- 
mon-school education and spent about one yeai- 
in the Union Schools of Ann Arbor, but his ill 
health prevented his going to school as much as 
his inclination prompted. However, he took a full 
course at the Commercial College and remained un- 
der the parental roof until he became of age. From 
his \'outii he delighted in the care of sheep and 
early displayed a knowledge of their habits that 
many older people do not have. Our subject was 
named after an uncle who presented him with a 
.sheep when he was a wee boy, and since that time 
he has never been without that kind of stock. 
AVhen a boy he was accustomed to attend tlie 
county and .State fairs witli his father who exhib- 
ited sheep and thus he liecame familiar with all 
grades of these animals. When he became of age 
he had quite a flock of registered sheep, and since 
then has owned some thousands of JMerino rams. 
He bred and raised the famous ram known as 
"Diamond," No. 101, which sheared the heaviest 
fleece'of wool of any sheep on record in the East. 



His business is breeding, buying and selling sheep. 
He also ships them from Vermont for breeding 
purposes. lie ships extensively to Texas and in 
1891 he .shipped sixty head of Merino rams to Aus- 
tralia. He is a recognized authority throughout 
the l^niled States regarding Merino sheep. At the 
present time Mr. Wood owns as fine specimens as 
can be found in the world. 

Mr. Wood's breeding flock usually comprises 
three hundred animals. He is also interested in 
the breeding of Short-horn cattle and has some 
fine specimens of this cia.ss of stock. He has cap- 
tured more than half of the first-class piizes of the 
Michigan State Fair for several years past for his 
Merinoes. His farm, which is known as Hickory 
Grove Stock Farm, comprises two hundred and 
fifty acres of laud. Theie are good buildings upon 
the place and a fine residence, which caters both 
to the comfort and taste of its occupants. A view 
of the place appears elsewhere in this volume. 

Mr. Wood was married in 1871 to Miss Clara 
Rogers who was born near Ann Arbor. They have 
two children, both boys, who arc named respect- 
ivly Roscoe and Arthur. Mr. Wood prefers the 
doctrines and tenets of the Republican party to any 
other^and is well informed on political as well as 
local affairs. Both he and his wife are memliers 
of the Presbyterian Church, of which they are 
generous supjjortere. Mr. Wood is a member of 
tlie jNIichigan Sheep Breeders Association, of which 
he was Treasurer and has been a member of the 
Executive Board since its organization. He is 
President of the Saline Sheep Breeders Association, 
and has been api)ointed by the (iovernor of Mich- 
igan as one of the committee on stock for exhibi- 
tion at tlie AVorld's Fair at Chicago in 1893. 

RTEMUS D. SUMNER. This gentleman 
was one of the many who have spent the 
// Ifc greater portion of their lives in develop- 
ing the country that their children and 
grandchildren might enjoy the advantages which 
they themselves were denied. In truth, we of to- 
day are the heirs of all the ages and profit .by the 




OLD SUMNER HOM LST E AD , SEC .1^ .,SAL1 N E TR, WASHTENAW CO., MICH. 




HICKORY GROVE STOCK FARM. RE5. 01- ARTHUR A. WOOD , BREED ER OF REGISTERED MERINO 
5HEEP SHORT HORN CATTLE & POLAND CUl.NA SWINE.SEC. ST. , LODI TP,WASHTENAW CO.,MICH 



Portrait and BioftRAPHiCAL ALBuivi. 



597 



labor and self-denial of the hard-working classes 
of times past. Mr. Sumner came to Michigan in 
1833. He was born in Delaware County, N. Y., 
December KJ, 18 lit, and his decease occurred .Jan- 
uary 13, 1879. 

Our subject was reared on the home farm in New 
York. He there enjoyed the advantages of a com- 
mon-school education, his parents giving him what 
opportunities they could. They were Jacob and 
Margaret (Loveland) Sumner, natives of the Em- 
pire State. Our subject's father lived to be three- 
score and ten years of age and was an old school- 
teacher, having been engaged in the work of the 
schoolroom for many years. In 1829 he went to 
Canada and in 1833 came to Michigan and settled 
in Washtenaw County, where his decease occurred 
in September, 1852. 

Mr. Sumner was one of eleven children born to 
his parents, only two of whom are now living. He 
was fourteen years old when his parents came to 
the Wolverine State. On reaching manhood he 
purchased a farm a few years before his marriage 
and devoted himself to agricultural work. From 
time to time he added to his original purchase and 
carried on his life business, quite extensively. He 
was a Republican in his political belief and a mem- 
ber of the JMethodist Episcopal Church. He always 
held some otticial position in the church, having 
been Superintendent of the Sunday-school, Stew- 
ard, Trustee, and the incumbent of similar offices. 
January 1, 1845, our subject was married to 
Miss Mary M. Parsons, who was born in Windom 
Township, Greene County, N. Y., November 17, 
1820. She is a daughter of Orrin and Rebecca 
Parsons, natives of New York who came to Mich- 
igan in 1826. The father entered (Government 
land in Saline Township on coming here and lived 
in a log house for three years, at a time when the 
wild animals that sjied before the hous(! were the 
only creatures to break the stillness and monotony 
of the surroundings. Indians encamped at not a 
great distance from the place and were frequent 
visitors; here they cleared and improved their 
farm. Mrs. Sumner's father died February 4, 1850, 
and the mother passed away about four months 
before. Two children have come to gladden the 
homo of our sul)jcct and his wife. They are Flor- 



ence A. and Clara E. The former is now the wife 
of John W. Hull who has been a merchant for 
some years and now lives near Saline; Mrs. Hull 
is the mother of four children — Wilbur S.,Melburn 
W., i\Ielissa M. and Cora M. Clara E. married 
Dexter Briggs and lives on the old homestead; 
they are the parents of five children — Mary A., 
Florence L., Sumner D., Luther M. and Fannie M. 

Mrs. Sumner received her education in the pio- 
neer schools of her day, sometimes being a student 
in a private residence, which was perliaps a log 
house and sometimes in the district school. There 
was no house south of them nearer than twenty 
miles and on the West the nearest neighbor was 
six or seven miles distant, and there was only 
an Indian trail leading to Monroe. Mr. Sum- 
ner had acquired three hundred and forty acres 
of land at the time of his death. He was during 
his life a prominent man, respected for his many 
virtues and loved for his personal traits. Mrs. 
Sumner is a member of the Methodist Church and 
has been so connected for man 3- years. She is an 
intelligent woman who is a pleasing conversation- 
alist, having an interesting fund of information in 
regard to pioneer life. Her daughters are intelli- 
gent ladies and fine housekeepers, having pleasant 
homes and families of their own. 

Elsewhere in this volume appears a view of the 
homestead of the late ]Mr. Sumner. 



/^EORGE 
({((=} prietor 



^^EORGE W. LAUGHRIDGE is the sole pro- 
of the finest marble works in Mich- 
He has a worthy lecord as a gallant 
soldier and stands high in the esteem of his fellow- 
townsmen in Ypsilanti. Mr. Laughridge was born 
at Mansfield, Ohio, July 4, 1844, and was there 
reared until eight years of age. He is the son of 
Joseph and Ellen M. (Miller) Laughridge. The 
former was a native of New York, but of Scotch 
ancestry, his father having born and married in 
Scotland and thence coming to America. 

Our subject's Tather was engaged in the manu- 
facture of furniture. He owned the site of the 



598 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Crouse farm, now the fair-grounds at Mansfield, 
Ohio. In 1850 he decided to go to Califor- 
nia and in company with twenty-one others went 
by water to San Francisco and was engaged in 
mining at Placerville for three \'ears. He was 
reasonably successful and brought home 11,000. 
In 1854 he went to Oskaloosa, Iowa, and started a 
furniture factory. He overworked himself,however, 
and in 1856 died at the age of forty-eight years. 

After her husband's death Mrs. Laughridge re- 
turned to Ohio but now resides in Oshkosh, Wis., 
with two sons and daughters. She is the mother 
of five children; they are our subject, Theodore P., 
AYilliara H., Charles P. and Ella A. Our subject 
was reared in Oskaloosa; he helped his father in 
the factory and after the decease of the latter went 
to Youngstown, Ohio. After being variously en- 
gaged tliere he was apprenticed to learn tlie marble 
business under J. Eberhart, spending four months 
with him, and during that time he became a prac- 
tical marble cutter and carver. 

On the breaking out of the war Mr. Laughridge 
enlisted August 6, 1862, when just past eighteen 
years of age in Company H, One Hundred and 
Second Ohio Infantry. He was miistered in afr 
Camp Mansfield as Corporal and was soon pro- 
moted to be First Sergeant. He was in the engage- 
ment to Covington, Ky., Decatur, Ala., and in the 
retreat to Washington. He was detailed to 
Thomas' headquarters for drafting under Capt. 
A. D. Woodman, later under Capt. Ruby of AVis- 
consiu, and held that post during the remainder of 
the war. He was mustered out in Ohio, in June, 
1865, then went to AVooster, thence to Louisville, 
Ify., where he took charge of the marble works. 
Later he occupied the same position at Jefferson ville, 
Ind., for several montlis; he then went to Indianapo- 
lis, from there to Anderson where he was foreman 
for one year and then went to Newark, Ohio, where 
he was foreman of marble works for five years. He 
was educating his sister in music and had charge 
of his mother, whose health was frail, and because 
of this he made the change to Michigan. 

In 1871 our subject located at Ypsilanti and be- 
came foreman for Batchelder Bros. In 187t he 
went to Dubuque, Iowa, and remained one winter, 
hoping that liis wife's health would thereby be 



benefited. In 1877 he returned to Ypsilanti and 
engaged in business with Mr. A'orhees. April 1, 
1878, he bought an interest with the firm of H. 
Batchelder it Co. He himself superintends the 
business and turns out as fine a line of monumen- 
tal work as can be found in the State. He makes 
a specialty of large monuments and has the finest 
book of designs in jSIichigan, his orders not infre- 
quently running up to 13,000 a piece. He imports 
granite from Scotland and also other rich colored 
marbles. It was he who originated the idea of 
manufacturing monuments from boulder rock and 
he is thus far the only one that can handle them. 
The company have in their employ from ten to 
fifteen men and three or four men on the road. 

Mr. Laughridge was married in Newark, Ohio, 
in 1871, to Miss Mary E. Bliss, a native of Gran- 
ville, Ohio. Socially, he is a Mason and belongs 
to the Royal Arch Masons. He is also a member 
of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and be- 
longs to the Grand Army of the Republic. He is 
a Republican in politics and has all faith and con- 
fidence in the future of his party. 






r 



' SRAEL D. PACK.ARD. It is a source of inspi- 
ration to brave doing and endurance, to learn 
j3 the history of those who have through hard- 
ships and notwithstanding physical disability won 
a place for themselves in this Western world, and 
we delight in telling the story of Mr. Packard, a 
farmer of Salem Township, whose life illustrates 
these points. He was born in Wayne Count}-, N. 
Y., in November, 1825, and at the age of six years 
came with his parents to Washtenaw Count}', where 
he has since lived. He was the second in age of a 
family of five children and was the only son, his 
sisters being Rosamond, Amity, Martha and an in- 
fant, Clarissa C, who died at the age of two years. 
Rosamond, who resides at South Lyons, is the wife 
of Anthony Farley. Amity married John Renwick 
of Salem Township and the other sister died while 
voung. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



599 



Alexis and Prudence (Delano) Packard, the par- 
ents of onr subject, were natives of Macedon, 
Wayne County, N. Y., where they hotii first saw 
the light in 1801. Their migration to the West 
was in their early married life and they l>roughl 
up their children and spent their remaining da\'s 
in this county and are still remembered for their 
true and faithful Christian lives. John F. Packard, 
our subject's paternal grundfatlier,was born in Mass- 
achusetts and his wife was also a native of the same 
State. They had a family of five sons, namely: 
Ford, Alexis, Orson, Russell and Nathaniel. By a 
second wife the grandfather had five additional 
children: Cassius, Nanej' ,]., Sarah, Adeline and 
Emeline. 

Our subject grew up on the farm and on account 
of his being a cripple he could not get the usual 
advantages that most of the boys of his time had 
as he could not always manage to reach the school- 
house regularly. At the age of twentj^-one he en- 
gaged in farming and trading and now owns a 
handsome farm. His experiences in boyhood are 
an illustration of the cheerful hardihood with which 
the pioneers undertook hard tasks for small pay, 
and wrested by main force a subsistence from the 
forests. For several years they found it almost 
impossible to gain enough to sustain life but by- 
perseverance finally became independent, although 
everything which they purchased had to be of the 
cheapest quality. At one time this boy engaged in 
helping make maple sugar, his work being to keep 
the fires goiiig under tlu'ee kettles and he worked 
at this for ten days at three cents a day and took 
his pay in maple sugar at ten cents a pound. 

In those days wild game abounded, chiefly tur- 
keys, quails and squirrels, and this brave lame boy 
helped largely in the support of the family by fur- 
nishing their larder with game. He used to de- 
light in tying his lame leg up so that it would be 
out of the wa3- and then to take his crutches and 
his gun and start on a quest for game. At the age 
of thirty the young man married Rebecca Clan- 
cherty and two children blessed this union, namely: 
Libb}', who is the wife of David Waters, and De- 
Witt, who married Alpha Bailey, and resides in 
Plymouth. 

The rei)utati()n which Mv. Packard has held 



through life is that of a strictly honorable man 
.and one whose influence is always thrown in the 
direction of morality. He is a strong advocate of 
the temperance cause and one who liiis tjie de- 
served respect of all who know him. 



— }- 



^>-^^<^ 



ILLIAM ('. :\irRRAY. Among the well- 
\/^'// known and influential citizens of Superior 
WW Townshi]) is the gentleman whose name 
introduces these paragraphs and who is a successful 
farmer, using the best methods of fertilizing the 
soil and improving the Land. He was born in 1824, 
in Orange County, N. Y., and was next to the 
youngest in a family of eight children, seven of 
whom grew to maturity. Their record is as fol- 
lows: Elijah R. married Eliza Pray and died in 
November, 1849; .Tames M., whose wife was Eunice 
Kelly, passed from earth in October, 1872; Mary J. 
became the wife of Robert T. Wheelock; Charles 
T. married Maria Peebles in 1853; Ambrose W. 
was united in marriage with Hannah J. McCormick 
in 1845 and died in .Ivily, 1887; Abigail E. married 
Charles Robinson and is a resident of C4rand Uapids; 
one child died in infancy. 

The parents of these children were Charles and 
Abigail ( Reeves)Murray, natives of Orange County, 
N. Y., the former born in 1782 and the latter in 
1793. Charles Murray was reared in his native 
count}' and State where he met the lady who after- 
ward became his wife. Their marriage was cele- 
brated in 1810, in Orange County, N. Y., and in 
1830 he brought his wife and children to Wash- 
tenaw County, this State. He settled tm section 
10, taking up eighty acres of land from the Govern- 
ment for which he paid $1.25 an acre. The old 
house built by him on coming to the place still 
stands, and it was probably the onlj' frame house 
in the township at the time of its erection. Mr. 
Murray died in 1833, leaving his family the mem- 
ory of his upright life and honored name. They 
remained on the home farm, developing its re- 
sources and assisting their mother until reaching 
mature years. 



600 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Our subject engaged In work at the carpenter's 
trade, taking it up at fourteen years of age and 
continuing to follow it until reaching his fortieth 
year. At that age he purchased the old homestead 
and since then has added to it until he now owns 
a farm of two hundred and fifty acres of splendid 
land. In I860 he was united in marriage witli 
Miss Mary Wheelock, a daughter of Royal and 
Mary A. (Pinckney) Wheelock, and unto them was 
born a daughter who was given the name of Mabel. 
Mrs. Mary Wheelock died .January 23, 1890, and was 
much lamented by her husband and many friends. 
Mr. Murray has lived an active and useful life in 
the township and has held evcr\^ local office in the 
gift of the people, excepting those of Constable 
and Justice of the Pence. 

Politically ilr. Murray has at all times affiliated 
with the Democratic party which he credits with 
political wisdom and balance of judgment. In 
1857 he was appointed Postmaster of Superior and 
for the convenience of the people the first office 
was located at the home of Mrs. Mary J. Wheelock. 
Our subject has been successful in his agricultural 
work and has accumulated a fine property. 



w^m^^^-^m 



NDREW ALLISON. Our subject enjoys 
(6*/4JI| the distinction of being editor of the first 
(a paper that was established at Chelsea and 
^^ which is now in its twenty-first volume, 

having been first brought before the public in 
1871. The journal is known as the Chelsea Herald 
and is a bright and spic}- sheet, voicing the senti- 
ments of the people in regard to local matters and 
also in the reviews of national affairs. Mr. Allison 
came here from Grass Lake, Jackson County, 
where he was editor and proprietor of the Reporter 
which he conducted for four years. He then moved 
his office and material to Chelsea, giving the paper 
the name of the Chelsea Herald. Since coming 
here his efforts have been crowned with success in 
a business way. He has a circulation of about one 
thousand per week and it is a medium for a large 
amount of advertisuig. The paper apjDears each 



Thursday and is waited for expectantly by repre- 
sentative families througliout the country, where 
it has a large circulation. 

In 1882 the original of our sketch sold out his 
paper but in 1887 he bought it back, feeling satis- 
fied that there was as great scope for good journ- 
alistic work to be done liere as elsewhere. Our 
subject is a native of Glasgow. Scotland, where be 
was born November 16, 1828. He is a son of 
Andrew and Jane (Nielson) Allison, who were 
natives of the same place in which their son was 
born. The former was a soap and candle-maker 
and in 1831 the conditions of life promising so 
much better in America than Scotland, the elder 
Mr. Allison removed to this country and settled 
in the old Bay State. He left his family in the 
Land of the Thistle and bagpipe and for six years 
worked alone without the help and consoling in- 
tluence of the domestic relations. At the end of 
that time he returned to his native land and 
brought his wife and two children to America, 
locating with them at Pontiae, Oakland Count3\ 
There he commenced to work at the soap and 
candle business, and was thus engaged for four 
years, at the expiration of that time moving to 
Toronto, Canada, where he followed his business 
until his decease. 

The decease of the father of our subject took 
place when he was seA'enty years of age; his mother 
l)asscd to her eternal rest at the age of sixty-five. 
Two children were left as the heirs and offspring 
of this worth}' and devoted couple, they being 
our subject and a sister Mary, now Mrs. Spottis- 
wood, formerly of Toronto, but now a resident of 
Australia. He of whom we write has been engaged 
in the editorial work in Oakland County, this 
State, and in Canada. At the age of fifteen he 
wa* bound as apprentice at the printer's trade Cor 
Ihree years, after which he worked as a journey- 
iiinn something over one year, then came to Buffa- 
lo. N. Y.. where he worked at his trade two 3'ears, 
when he removed to Rochester and staid one 
year. He returned to Canada in 1849. 

In 1850 in the month of April Mr. Allison 
united liis life with that of Forrester Bentley, for 
better or worse. The lady was a native of Edin- 
burg, Scotland. The following fall the young peo- 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



COl 



l)le came to Detroit, this State, where our .subject 
worked at his trade until 1867 and then went to 
(rrass Lake, Jackson Count}', where he established 
the Grass Lake Reporter and thence came here. 
Mr. Allison is the owner of a beautiful home in 
Chelsea and owns considerable vill.age property. 
He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow and belongs to 
the Republican party. Personally our subject is 
affable and kindl^' disposed to anyone wlio is 
worthy of his friendship or acquaintance. 



^^ 



^ 



ARLOW D. WELLS. The senior memlier 
of the firm of Wells * Fisk, grocers, whose 
establishment is located on West Congress 
Street, Ypsilanti, is one of the best-known 
men in his business line in the city. He has been 
on this street for fifteen years, and in business for 
himself for eight years. Mr. \V'ells was born in 
.Johnstown Township, Wayne County, Mich., Jan- 
uary If), 1856, and is a son of Chandler and Eliza 
Wells, the former a farmer by calling and both 
members in good standing of the Metliodist Epis- 
copal Church. 

AVhen our subject was but sixteen years of age 
his father died and his mother with her two chil- 
dren, Harlow and Ida (now Mrs. R. A. Garrison), 
moved to Ypsilanti. Here the young man finished 
his education in the seminary and after that entered 
the ernplo}' of Weeks & Lawrence. At first he 
gave only Saturdaj-s to the work, and then all the 
summer until after he had finished his seminary 
course and when twenty years of age he entered 
the store permanently. His whole business career 
has been in the same store he now occupies. 

Mr. Wells remained with the firm of Weeks (fe 
Lawrence, which passed through various changes 
in partnership, until he began tlie manufacture of 
brooms under the firm name of H. D. Wells cfe Co. 
He did not long continue this, however, but sold 
out and went into the grocery business in partner- 
ship with H. C. Fisk, under the firm name quoted 
above. This partnenship was formed in 1883, and 
has continued unbroken ever since. They have a 



fine large store which has a frontage of twenty feet 
and a dei)th of eighty feet. It is well stocked with 
the choicest of staple and fancy groceries, and here 
the daintiest and most toothsome table delicacies 
may be found. The firm is doing a fine trade and 
keep employed three clerks aside from their own 
work. 

Mr. Wells has served as delegate to tlie county 
Republican convention, and in 1890 he was elected 
Alderman of the Third Ward. He is a member of 
the Masonic order, socially, and has reached the 
First Degree in the Knights Templar order. He is 
now Chairman of the AV'ays and Means Committee 
of the Cit3' Council and in his first ye&r was also 
Chairman of many important committees. Mrs. 
Wells, our subject's mother, resides in this city and 
It is she who is the home-maker for her son. 

Mrs. Eliza Wells was the daughter of Reuben 
Davis of Hudson, Ohio, where she was born Novem- 
ber 15, 1832. Reubi n Davis was born in Killing- 
worth, Conn., in 1800, and died in 1844. The 
family is of Welsh descent. Reuben Davis grew 
to maturity in his native place and when a young 
man removed to Hudson, Ohio, where he was pro- 
prietor of a large boot and shoe store and also had 
a separate department for the manufacture of cus- 
tom work, having the first large exclusive boot and 
shoe house in that place. 

Mrs. Wells' mother was in her maiden days Eliza 
Kilbourne, a daughter of George and Almira Kil- 
bourne, who were from Goshen, Conn., whence 
they went to Hudson with the first family (Hudson) 
who settled in that locality, and took up a tract of 
land three-quarters of a mile south of the village 
of Hudson. The farm is still in the family. Mrs. 
AVells' grandfather lived thtre until nincty- 
siK years and ten months old. His children were: 
Cecil, George, Sophia (Mrs. Herman Oviatt), Tim- 
olh3', Eliza and Justin. Eliza was born in 1808. 
and married Reuben Davis in 1824. To them were 
born two children — Eliza A. (Mrs. Wells), and 
George, who died in infancy. Mr. Davis wasa AVhig, 
as was all his family. Mrs. AVells' mother survived 
some time after Mr. Davis' deatJi and in 1850 mar- 
ried Dr. Taylor of Springfield, 111., who died the 
next year, his wife following him in 1852. Mrs. 
AVells, or ^liss Eliza Davis as she then was, was 



602 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



left in charge of Abraham Lincoln . Slie was a 
teacher at the time in Springfield, having ))een 
thoroughly equipped for the work at the Hudson 
.Seminary. She taught Mr. Lincoln's children and 
was married from his house to Harlow Davis, Feli- 
ruary 6, 1853. He was a native of Hartford, Conn., 
and was born August 16, 1828. He was educated 
in his native place and when twenty-two years 
of age, about 1850, went to Springfield, III., and 
opened a store in partnership with Charles Eldred, 
their place of business being opposite the old Slate 
House. 

Mr. Davis died the -ifith of the Jul}- following 
his marriage. Our sul)ject was the posthumous child 
of this marriage, and after his mother's second mar- 
riage with Mr. Wells, took that name. l\Irs. Davis 
married the Rev. Chandler Wells at Flat Rock, this 
State; he was a native of Buffalo, N. Y., and was 
born in 1812. When he was six years of age his 
parents took up Government land at Gibraltar, 
Mich., and there Chandler spent his boyhood days, 
thence removing to Flat Rock. There they con- 
tinued to live until Mr. Wells' death, when his 
widow came to Ypsilanti to educate her children. 
Our subject and his mother have a beautiful home 
on Cross, near Adams Street. 



-•i-J-^-S-^S^ •5"5">4-^-— 



P:NRY M. PHELPS. This gentleman is 
prominently connected with a number of 
the leading families of Washtenaw County, 
and his father, Xorman A. Phelps, has two 
brothers, Amos and Benjamin, living near Dexter. 
Our subject was born .January 20, 1845, on the 
farm two miles south of Dexter, which his father 
took from the Government in 1833, and which a 
brother, Alfred E., now owns, although he lives in 
the town. He received his schooling in Dexter, as 
his father lived there from the time the boy was 
fourteen years old until he reached his twenty-first 
year, and then he went upon the farm with his 
brother Alfred for two years. 

Tlie date of our suliject's maniage was Decem- 
ber 15, 1870, and his bride was Miss Frances Waite, 



d.'iughter of L'. C. and Ann (Palmer) Waite. He 
then settled on the old farm of one hundred and 
twenty acres, and operated it for five years, after 
which he disposed of it to his brother Thomas. The 
wile of our subject was born in Scio Township, 
.July 20, 1847. 

Tlie Pheljjs family came to Dexter when our sub- 
ject was fourteen years old. and he attended tlie 
school here until he attained his majority, when 
not in school being on the farm. When aliout 
twenty-two years old he located upon the old farm 
where a brother, Alfred E. had been residing, and 
at the end of two years he and Alfred bought the 
old farm of two hundred and forty acres, and re- 
sided on it for five or six years, at the end of which 
time Alfred purchased his interest and he removed 
to Dexter, where he began handling horses, buying 
and selling and paying special attention to keep- 
ing Percheron stallions. He has one fine animal, 
"Don Percheron," a Clydesdale called "England's 
Glory," and a Hambletonian, "Regalia." Tliislast 
named has a record of trotting a mile in 2:38 with- 
out training, and his reputation as a sire is gaining 
ground as his progeny aie recognized as of an ex- 
cellent strain, and bring first-class prices. 

Our subject has for ten years managed a good 
livcr^', feed and sale stable in Dexter under the firm 
name of Phelps & Ball, his partner being Harris 
Ball, the i)resent Postmaster. He buys and sells first- 
class horses, and keeps eight outfits, all of them 
excellent teams and conveyances. He always ex- 
hibits his stock at fairs, and has taken many of the 
first premiums, especially on stallions; his "Rega- 
lia" taking a llOO prize for fastest time at the 
county fair. Mr. Phelps is President of the village 
and Township Treasunu-, and in his political views 
he is in sympathy with the Republican party. The 
children of this family are: .Tune, who is now a 
young lady of nineteen years, and a music teacher; 
and .Jessie, who is in her fifteenth year. They are 
both studying in the High School. A daughter, 
Anna, died at the age of four years, passing to her 
heavenly home P^cbruary 20, 1887. The beautiful 
little home of this family near the center of the 
village is located upon tiie old C. C. Waite home- 
stead, and is one of the most delightful abodes in 
the city. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



603 



Mrs. Phelps is a daughter of Christopher Colum- 
bus and Ann (Palmer) Waite. Her father was born 
in Cayuga Count\', N. Y., June 16, 1817, and 
removed to Michigan in 1839, settling in tlie town- 
ship of Scio this county, where he had a farm of 
forty-seven acres. His father, who was a blacksmith 
by trade, died when this boy was four years old. His 
marriage, February 20, 1845, united him with a 
prominent family, as his wife was a daughter of 
Tim ]M. and, Hannah Palmer. Mrs. AVaite passed 
from earth May 20, 1879, and INIr. Waite then made 
his home with his daughter, Mrs. Plielps, until his 
death in 1888. There were two children in the 
Waite family, Mrs. Phelps and her brother Orr, who 
is a jeweler of St. Igiiace. Mich. Mr. David AVaite 
the hardware merchant of Dexter, was reared in 
this family for some time after his mother's death, 
and is always considered as one of the home circle. 



l-^-^l 



s^ YLVESTER XP:A\Kn?K. He of whom we 
write was born in Genesee County, N. Y., 
February 28, 1820, and his father, John 
Newkirk had his nativity in Utica, N. Y.? 
where he was bereaved of his parents when quite 
young. Our subject's mother Betsey Archer was 
also of Genesee County. The father was a black- 
smith and in 1837 he came West with his family 
of eight children and set up a shop in Dexter, but 
after one year removed to Ingham County, where 
Stockbridge was just being started. There he built 
a shop and lived for many years. The first sum- 
mer of his residence in Ingham County, he set up 
a shop under an oak tree and his son Sylvester re- 
members assisting him there in his labors. During 
the last years of his life he lived near Williamston. 
He died m 1882 having reached the age of eighty- 
four and his good wife had passed on in 1863. 

Eleven children had filled this pioneer home all 
of whom grew to manhood and womanhood and 
nine are now living, although Sylvester is the only 
one in Washtenaw County. Four of the sisters 
and four of the brothers reside in Ingham County. 
When the family removed to that county Sylves- 



ter remained in Dexter, and learned the carpenter's 
trade with Calvin T. Fillmore, a brother of Millard 
Fillmore. After spending three j'ears in his ap- 
prenticeship he passed a part of the succeeding 
summer with his father and then worked for him 
as a journeyman for three years, after which he en- 
tered upon general contracting and building with 
headquarters at Dexter, beginning this work about 
1844. He thus continued for about fifteen years 
when he removed to a farm one mile south of Dex- 
ter and lived there until he came again to the vil- 
lage in the spring of 1891, at which time he pur- 
chased the property where he now lives, which is 
one of the most desirable residences in the town. 
Our subject is warmly interested in political mat- 
ters and was formerly a AYhig, but is now a 
Republican and has never missed an election since 
1844. He is always in the best of health and a 
man who is active in all work which he undertakes. 
The happy domestic life of our subject began 
March 2, 1845, by his marriage in Dexter with 
Viola J. Johnson, daughter of Henry S. and Olive 
(Fillmore) Johnson. This lady's mother was a 
sister of Millard Fillmore tlie President and 
was next older than he in the family. Her family 
removed to Dexter about 1842 having come from 
Lower Sandusk}', Ohio, which had been their home 
for eleven years. The father was a carpenter and 
worked at that trade here in connection with Calvin 
T. Fillmore. The parents both died in Dexter, Mr. 
Johnson passing away in July, 1847 at the age of 
fifty-three and the mother surviving until .\pril, 
1882 when she was eighty-six years old. Four 
children grew to mature years namelj': David B., 
Nathaniel F., Viola J. and Henry S., and of this 
number Mrs. Newkirk is the only one living. Of 
her uncle's family, Ariel Fillmore of Ann Arbor is 
the only survivor. 

Mrs. Newkirk has a distinct recollection of her 
Uncle Millard as he frequently visited her and she 
was thus thoroughly acquainted with him. These 
recollections are eminently delightful and her re- 
membrances of her visit to his home in Bufl'alo are 
most pleasant. His brother, Calvin T. died in Ann 
Arbor. 

The oldest son of our subject, Osmcnd J. New- 
kirk, enlisted in Company D, Twentieth Michigan 



604 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIHCAL ALBUM. 



Infantry and wfvs promoted to the rank of a Cor- 
poral in 1863. He died April 7, the sam(2 j-ear at 
the general hospital at Louisville, Ky., being then 
in his eighteenth year, and lies in the cemetery at 
Dexter. When news came of his dangerous illness 
his mother went to him but did not reach his bed- 
side until he had departed and had been placed in 
the grave, but she brought home his remains. The 
second son Henry Wirt is an attorney at Luther, 
Lake County, of which county he is the prosecu- 
ting attorney. He graduated at the University of 
Michigan in the law class of 1879 and practiced for 
two years at Dexter, and is now upon his second 
term as prosecuting attornej^ His wife Nellie 
Birkett is a daughter of Thomas Birkett of Dexter 
Township. One daughter died at the age of eigh- 
teen months and the one who remains is Emma 
Olive, wife of Daniel McLaren, of Lima Toi\Tiship. 
Our subject and his wife feel that they have had 
their share of the activities of life and are now 
living in retirement. Mrs. Newkirk has many 
valuable souvenirs of her uncle Fillmore, one of 
them being the first oil portrait ever painted of 
the President and his wife, another being a massive 
carved oak arm chair covered with embroidery and 
sampler work done t).y Mrs. Fillmore and used by 
her in the White House. She has also six volumes 
of Schoolcraft's "American Indian" which was pre- 
sented to President Fillmore by .1. W. Denver, the 
Indian Commissioner. This work is valued at ^350 
and is one of the finest specimens of book-making 
and illustration extant. These articles are in- 
valuable to the family and indeed to«ll who prize 
memorials of tlie jjast. 



_y 



Ji\ RS. SUSAN C. CHANDLER, who is one of 
the most active and intelligent women of 
Piltsfield Township, was born in Batavia, 
N. Y.. October 7, 1831, being a daugiiter 
of John and Nancy (Solawaj') Cox, of Vermont. 
Her father was the overseer of the Public Works 
in his town and removed to Oberlin, Ohio, when 



the country was very new, and when this daugh- 
ter was only four or live years old. 

She of wliorn we write was educated at Oberlin, 
and when within six months of her graduation she 
cut short her course to take the position of Princi- 
pal of the High School of that city to which she 
had been elected. She held this position with honor 
to herself and profit to the school for the succeed- 
ing ten years. Her mother still resides in that city 
but lier father died in 3Iarch, 187.T. 

The marriage of Susan Cox and Phiianiler Chand- 
ler, took place December 15. 1858, in Medina 
County, Ohio. He was a son of Silas Chandler, a 
farmer by occu|)ation, and was a graduate of the 
Commercial College at Oberlin. He removed to 
Sharon, Medina County, where he was overseeing 
large farming interests, as he had made consider- 
able money in California, whither he went during 
the gold excitement. He remained in Medina 
County for about seventeen years, and in the fall 
of 1878 came to Michigan and located in Ann Ar- 
boi-. 

Four children were the result of tliis union. Lil- 
lian, who was born in October. 1861; Carrie, in De- 
cember. 1863; Anna. October 10, 1865; Todd D., 
January 1. 1H67. This .son is now at home and 
conducts the farm; and Anna is married to Will- 
iam Smith, a machinist .at Ypsilanti. AVhen Mr. 
Chandler first came to Michigan, he engaged in 
hotel keeping, and managed the Chandler House 
at Ann Arbor tor a year. He then exchanged this 
building for the Booth farm of Pittsfield Town- 
ship, and removed hither taking up farming. 
Shortly after he sold that ijroperty to William 
Campbell, and then removed to Ypsilanti, where 
he resided for about three years. 

Mrs. Chandler now owns a place of one hundred 
and forty-eight acres of fine farming land which 
she .and her son manage, and she is a thorough 
and active business woman. Siie is a strcmg ad- 
herent of the People's party in politics, and in re- 
ligion is a Unitarian, and all her family are follow- 
ing in her footsteps in these particulars. Many 
among her old pupils at Oberlin became characters 
of note, especially in the anti-Slavery line; one of 
them, Anthony Burns, was a victim of the moii at 
Boston in war times, .and another was hung with 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



605 



John Brown at Harper's Ferry. To all of her chil- 
dren she has given a thorough and comprehensive 
education, and has trained them to be intelligent 
.and independent in thought and action. She lost 
her husband by death, March 1. 1888, but has since 
continued her residence upon the farm witli licr 
familv. 



iM^m3^£r<^ 






ON. (iEOKGE RENWIC'K. Among the 
citizens of Salem Township, of British birth, 
who having come to America did good 
service in this State during pioneer daj's, 
we are gratified to be able to present the name 
we have just given, that of a gentleman now 
departed from this life whose biograiihy will be of 
interest to all our readers. He was born in Northum- 
lierland Parish, England in 1789, iind received a 
good education before coming to America which 
event took place before he reached his majority. 
His father, .lames Ren wick, accompanied him to 
the United States. 

The first home of our subject in this country 
was in Seneca County, N. Y„ where upon the loth 
of May, 1815, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Phrebe Walker. They continued to reside in that 
place until 1828 when they came to Washtenaw 
County, and settled in what was then Panama 
Township, now known as Salem. Mr. Renwick 
was elected a Territorial Representative and aided 
in the formation of the Territorial constitution. 
He remained a member of the Legislative body for 
some five or six years and also aided in forming 
the State constitution, being a representative at 
the time of the admission of the State to the 
Federal Union and continued in this office until 
after the capital was removed from Detroit to 
Lansing. 

After he left the Legislature the Hon. George 
Renwick became Supervisor of Salem Township and 
in all the.se relations he ever maintained the con- 
fidence and esteem of all who knew him. Until 
the time of the organization of the Republican 



l)arty he was an old-line Whig and was at all times 
active in political and public movements. When 
he came to the count\' he bought of the (iovern- 
nient two hundred and forty acres of land which 
under his supervision was developed into one of 
the finest farms of the county. He came to this 
point when there was but one house between his 
home and Plymouth and with him he then brought 
his wife and three children. 

The eldest child of Mr. Renwick is Mary A., who 
became the wife of Isaac AVynku]), a former pro- 
minent citizen of Salem Township, now deceased. 
'1 he eldest son, John W. Renwick, is one of the 
))est business men in Salem Township, and is gen- 
erally popular. He owns a large fai'in and is 
successful in business. He was married in 1849 to 
Miss Amity B., a daughter of Alexis Packard and 
unto them have been born nine children, seven of 
whom are still living, namely: Ernest who resides 
near Salem; Alexis P., George D., Martha D. (Mrs. 
(ieorge liorabager), Mary (Mrs. Melvin Duncan), 
Jennie, wife of Edwin Chase, and John. In ]ioli- 
tical matters Mr. Renwick is a warm and stanch 
Republican. He is prominent in agricultural eli- 
des, and has made his handsome farm of thi-ee 
hundred acres highly productive. 

(ieorge Renwick, who is a liachclor and one of 
the most intelligent men in Salem Township, owns 
over three hundred acres of fine land, in the cul- 
ture of which he has been fairly successful. He is 
a stanch Democrat, and is as earnest in his political 
views as is his brother, John, on the opposite side. 
He was reared upon his father's farm and is one of 
the men who .served the injunction on the Town- 
ship Board to restrain it from furnishing 115,000 
for the assistance of the railroad. This matter 
was carried to the Supreme Court where the ])ro- 
posed action of the Board was declared unconstitu- 
tional and Ml. Renwick came oflf victorious. This 
was probably one of the most important cases ever 
settled in this State by the Supreme Court. The 
origin of this matter was that the people of the 
township voted $25,000 in taxes to help the How- 
ell, Lansing <fe Detroit Railroad, and three men 
were appointed by the opponents of the tax to 
fight it, namely: George Renwick, Thomas Shank- 
land, and Mr. Palmer but the whole work fell upon 



606 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



the first named gentleman who was efficient in 
preventing the issuance of bonds which would 
otlierwise have been placed u])on tlie market, and 
thus the people of the lownsliip were relieved from 
the results of their somewhat rash vote. 



^^- 



^>-S^«S 



#! 



ANIEL -PIERCE. There was a period not 
so very long ago in a certain class of En- 
glish society, wlien age masqueraded in the 
foppery of j'outh. It was the life-work of 
aged beaux to conceal the ravages that time was 
making upon the physical and mental makeup. 
To-day it is the reverse and gray hairs are the in- 
signia of the honor paid involuntarilj' to the man 
or woman who has this advantage in experience. 
One who has reached almost patriarchal years and 
who commands the respect of all who are associ- 
ated with him by virtue of his natural ability as 
well as of his acquired dignity is he whose name is 
above. He is now a resident on section 22, Ypsi- 
lanti Township, Washtenaw County, and is one of 
the representative pioneers of this section of the 
country. A native of Ontario County, N. Y., Mr. 
Pierce was born November 12, 1815. He is a son 
Samuel and Triphena Pierce, the former a native 
of Massachusetts and the latter of Vermont. Our 
subject's great-grandfather was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War. 

When a lad of thirteen years the original of our 
sketch experienced his first bereavement in the loss 
of his mother. .Several j-ears after, with his fam- 
ily, he removed to Livingston Count}', N. Y., and 
there his father died. Only one other member be- 
sides him.self survives, a sister, Mrs. Mary Potter 
who lives ill Augusta Township, Washtenaw 
County. In his boyhood our subject attended 
school at the district schools of his home and was 
also a student in private schools. He is naturally 
a great reader and probably his knowledge has 
been more enlarged by independent reading than 
by devotion to his text books 

October 1, 1834 the original of our sketch was 
united in marriage in the State of New York to 



Miss Rebecca Cutler, a native of the Empire State 
and a daughter of Abel and Sarah Cutler. Their 
domestic life proved to be very happy and the pair 
became the parents of six children, four of whom 
are now living. They are Dallas S., Ellen, Elva 
and Charles D. Dallas married Lucy Pierce; Ellen 
is the wife of A. A. Ford; Elva is the wife of 
Kdgar Thorn, and Charles married Mary Dane. 
The two children who are deceased are Ellen and 
Caroline T. 

Two years prior to its admission to the Union 
as a State our subject came to Michigan but re- 
mained only a short time and in 1839 he and his 
wife with two children emigrated here and finally 
settled. They remained, however, but a short time 
first living in Washtenaw County and in the spring 
of 1840 removing to Wayne County, where they 
remained a number of years. In 1857 they finally 
returned to Washtenaw County and settled upon 
the farm tliat our subject at present owns. Their first 
home here was a log cabin, located practically in the 
woods. They experienced hard times as did most 
of the pioneers and did much hard work. In after 
j^ears our subject erected the home which the fam- 
ily occupies at present. She who had been to him 
for so many years his devoted helpmate and coun- 
selor, the inspiration and comforter in their trying 
period of his pioneer career departed this life March 
1, 1888. The regard in which she was held by her 
large circle of friends and acquaintances is evi- 
denced by the cortege that followed her to her last 
resting place and many were the kind words and 
incidents related of her generosity and amialiility. 
Four years prior to her decease our subject and his 
wife celebrated their golden wedding. The half 
century of wedded life was indeed a subject of 
congratulation to those who knew them, for seldom 
is a union more harmonious than was theirs. The 
occasion was made memorable by the presentation 
to them of a handsome silver pitcher and a fine 
gold-headed cane, slight tokens of the esteem in 
which each was held by those who knew and loved 
them best. In Mrs. Pierce's decease the county 
lost one of its representative pioneer women. 

The original of our sketch is the owner of one 
hundred and six acres of land in a good state of 
cultivation. Mis agricultural efforts have been 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



607 



successful to a pleasing degree and now as he de- 
scends the hillside of life in which hissilveiing 
head is lightened by the glowing sunset, he enjoys 
the fruits of a life well spent in usefulness. While 
a resident of Wayne County Mr. Pierce served as 
Justice of the Peace and has tied manj' a marriage 
knot. He has also served as Assessor in Assump- 
tion Township, Wayne County. A modest and 
unassuming man he attributes his financial success 
as largely to the managerial and executive ability 
of his estimable wife as to his own efforts. He is a 
Democrat in politics, being true to his party 
through the fluctuating favors of the passing year. 
While a resident of Wayne County lie was engaged 
in running a sawmill and furnished the lumber 
for the first Normal School built in Ypsilanti 
and which has since burned down. He also fur- 
nished one hundred and fifty thousand feet of 
plank and timber for the Detroit & Salem Plank 
Road. This was employed chiefly for tiie building 
of bridges. JMr. Pierce is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity at Ypsilanti. He is well known through- 
out the county and stands high in the esteem of 
all. He was formerly identified with the Michigan 
militia and received a commission as Lieutenant 
from Gov. Mason while it was yet a Territory. 



r^, AVID RINSEY is the senior member of 
the firm of Rinsey & Seabolt, proprietors 
of one of the best patronized groceries 
and bakeries in the city of Ann Arbor. 
Our subject was born in Baden, (iermany, Decem- 
ber 9, 1838, and is a native of the village of Alt- 
enshawant. He is the second son of John and 
Mary (Baumgarten) Rinsey, who were engaged in 
agriculture. The school days of David Rinsey were 
passed in Basil, Switzerland, and after finishing his 
school days he worked as an apprentice in a 
bakery for eighteen months. 

In the fall of 1854 our subject came to the 
United States, attracted hither by the enlarged 
prospects and advantages offered to a young man. 



Ho landed from the boat in New York and went 
thence to Tiffin, Ohio, and from the latter place 
came to Ann Arbor. For seven years after com- 
ing here he worked by the month on a farm, re- 
ceiving 150 for his first year's labor and more as 
his services grew more valuable. After the first 
three years he was engaged with C. H. Richmond 
and remained with him for four years. He then 
engaged with Slawson & Son, where he acted as 
clerk in a general store and was engaged in that 
capacity until 1867, when he started in business 
for himself, forming a partnership with Moses Sea- 
bolt under the firm name of Rinsey & Seabolt. 

Emljarking first in the grocery business the firm 
afterward added a bakery, which tliey still run in 
connection with their other interests and at the 
present time, as will be seen by consulting dates, 
tlie parnership has lasted for more than twenty- 
five years. The firm carry a largo and well-selected 
stock of goods and are among the largest dealers 
in the city. Tliey have an extensive acquaintance 
witli the best people of the town and their reputa- 
tion for uprightness of dealing and lionor is such as 
to give them a prominent place among the business 
men. 

The firm first started in business in a small brick 
block and continued there until 1876 when they 
built an addition and put on a more attractive 
front to the place, thus giving more room. In 
connection with the bakery and grocery business, 
the firm handle flour on a large scale. Both part- 
ners are practical business men whose foresight 
and judgment can be relied upon. 

Our subject outside of his business life is in the 
enjoyment of a very pleasant home which is made 
attractive and homelike Ijy his gentle and yet dig- 
nified wife. Their marriage was solemnized in Sep- 
tember, 1869. The bride was Miss Janet Miller, of 
Ypsilanti, daughter of Frederick Miller; her parents 
were formerly from Germany. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Rinsey 
have six children, four girls and two boys — Mary, 
Ellen, Lulu, Stella, J. Frank and George H. They 
are all bright and intelligent 3"0ung people with 
fair prospects in life to become not only useful and 
honored members of society but distinguished as 
men and women of intellect. 

Mr. RiiLsev is a Director and stockholder in the 



608 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Ann Arbor Savings Bank and also a prominent 
member of the Fruit (ir Vinegar Company. In tlieir 
church relations he with the members of his family 
are connected with the St. Thomas Catholic Church 
of which he is one of the Trustees. He resides at 
Xo. 26 N. Divison Street. His home was quite re- 
cently built and is of elegant construction. The 
latest style of arcliitecture has been employed an<l 
the most perfect taste lias been l)rought to hear in 
the finishing and furnishing. It is surrounded by 
a beautiful lawn and has choice shade trees of vari ■ 
ous varieties. The success which has attended our 
subject is the more flattering, as when coming to 
Ann Arbor he had Init §5 in money. He is now 
the owner of a large amount of valuable property. 



'jt^D\YIN SANDEKSOX. Section 9, Augusta 
11^ Township, whose monotony of contour is 
/W — 'i^ broken by the serpentine curves of two 
prett}' streams, is the location of the home which 
is owned by the man whose name is at the head of 
this sketch — one who is a representative pioneer of 
the locality. He is a native of this county and 
was here born November 18, 1831, being a son of 
Zimri and Ann (Hiukley) Sanderson. Both par- 
ents were natives of the Old Buy State. They 
emigrated to this county about 1829-30, and set- 
tled on the farm where our subject is now living, 
their first home being in the woods and a log 
cabin, he having purchased land from the Govern- 
ment, which he devoted himself to improving 
and cultivating. All the hardships of pioneer life 
were familiar to this early settler. 

Zimri Sander: on was the father of several chil 
dren, whose names are as follows: Ormelia, wife 
of William Flower; Helen Maria, deceased, was 
the wife of James G. Flower; Edwin; Alfred; Es- 
ther, who is the wife of George Reynolds; Melanc- 
thon and Dwight are both deceased, as is Amarette. 
The elder Mr. Sanderson was a Whig in politics. He 
was one of the first pioneers of the township. 
Our subject was reared to manhood in Augusta 
Township, .and w.is early familiarized with the 



peculiar modes of living of the pioneer settlers. 
He received an education in the branches ordina- 
rily taught in the district school of the township, 
and was obliged to occupy every spare moment 
in assisting his father, and early accomplished 
much hard labor in the way of clearing land, 
a^ well as other duties of an agricultural nature. 

Mr. Sanderson was married in December, 18.55, 
to Jliss Esther Howe, a native of New York State, 
and they became the parents of the following 
surviving children: Elsie, wife of George Davis; 
Elton L., Elmer K. and Ella. Mrs. Sanderson's 
experience of life has been for the most part con- 
nected with Michigan, as she wa* brought to Wash- 
tenaw County when an infant and has ever since 
lived liere. Our subject has served as Treasurer 
of his school district, and has greatly assisted 
every enterprise that tends to a broader educa- 
tional system. 

A Hepublican in politics, our subject is well 
posted in the ciu-rent events of the day as well as 
in the natural and local happenings of political 
life, and is an intelligent conversationalist upon 
leading topics. He is a representative pioneer of 
the county, and his fine farm speaks for itself as to 
his thrift and successful methods in his chosen 
calling. Mr. Sanderson is universally recognized 
as a man whose reputation is without blot and he 
enjo^-s to a flattering degree the confidence of 
his fellow-men and familiars in business and daily 
Hfe. 



\|t ENRY T. COE. The editor and proprietor 
iTjj of the Ypsilanti Commercial^ a breezy sheet 
iJt^^ that appeals to the class of people that its 
(^) name would suggest, was born in Brighton, 
Livingston Countj^, INIich., March 29, 1863. He is 
a son of .Jacob H. Coe, who was a native of Tomp- 
kins County, N. Y.,and born April 18, 1814. His 
parents followed the calling of agriculture in 
their native State, where the paternal grandparents 
also lived. Our subject's Grandmother Coe came 
to Michiaau in 1836. and settled in Livingston 



tORtilAIT AND BIOGllAPHiCAL ALBUM. 



669 



County, coming and making her home with her son 
.Jacob. 

The father of the oriirinal of our sketch settled 
in Gi'eeu Oak Township, Livingston County, in 
183G, when he was but twenty-two years of age. 
The country was then wild woods, but purchasing 
a farm of the Government, he built a log house, 
which is still standing, and set about improving 
the place. He afterward located in Brighton on 
another new piece of land, and which he farmed 
until recently. He was a more than ordinarily 
successful farmer, and was of the oldest settlers in 
that part of the country. He owned and operated 
the first threshing machine ever in Livingston 
County. II was called an English Beater, and 
would now be regarded as quite a curiosity in its 
way. J. H. Coe was an ardent Abolitionist and 
Free-Soiler, and he has been a Republican for many 
years. 

Our subject's mother was before her marriage 
Miss Elvira Clark, who was born in New York State. 
She was a daughter of the Rev. Ansel Clark, who 
was a pioneer of that State. After coming to 
Michigan he was a Baptist minister and located in 
Green Oak, where he owned a farm. Our subject's 
parents celebrated their golden wedding in 1888, 
at which tune the mother was sixty- five years of 
age. 

Of nine children born to Mr. .and Mrs. Coe, six 
are now living. Henry T. Coe was reared in 
Brighton, and was a graduate of the High School 
there when eighteen years of age, and in 1882 he 
entered the Michigan State Normal School, and 
took up the scientific and literary courses, in which 
he graduated in 1884, and after that became Assist- 
ant Professor of Mathematics for three years in 
the same school. He then resigned his position 
and purchased the Commercial, its previous editor 
and inoprietor being C. R. Pattison, who estab- 
lished it in 1864. It is now a six-column quarto, 
pulilished weekly, and enjoys a good circulation. 
It is published in the interest of the community; 
and special attention is paid to local afi'airs, making 
it a history of the events that transpire in this 
locality. Moreover, it reviews most intelligently 
the public issues of the daj-, and its advertising 
columns are well filled and show that the merchants 



of Ypsilanti appreciate it as a medium for making 
themselves known to the people at large. 

Mr. Coe was married in this city, August 20, 
1884, to Miss Hattie E. Jenness, a daughter of 
John S. .Jenness, a prominent business man in 
former days of this city, and now deceased. Mrs. 
Coe was educated in tliis city. They are the par- 
rents of onecliild, a son, born in 1886, whose name 
is Caii J. Mr. Coe and his wife are members of the 
Bnptist Church, and he is a Democrat in politics. 



OBERT T. WlIEELf)CK. It is always a 
pleasure to deal with the history of one 
who IS a member of one of those grand old 
families who have for generations been 
distinguished for patriotism, the genuine spirit of 
Christianity and the strong characteristics which 
have made them men of mark. Royal Wheelock, 
the father of our subject, was born in Massachu- 
setts in 1766 and his father, Simeon Wheelock. was 
born in Uxbridge, Mass., in 1741. His father, 
Silas, born in 1718, was a son of Benjamin, born 
in 1678, whose father, Benjamin, born in 1640, was 
a son of Ralph whose birth took place in Shrop- 
shire, England, about the beginning of the seven- 
teenth century. Through all these generations the 
Wheeloeks have been a farming family in almost 
every instance and most of them have been mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church, and after coming 
to this country became AVhigs of the olden time. 
Our subject was one of the pioneers of this 
county, having located here in 1826. His parents. 
Royal and Lydia (Taft) AVheelock, had their birth 
in JIassachusetts where they grew to maturity and 
were married. They soon located in Ontario 
County, N. Y., where the following familj- of chil- 
dren was born to them: Harry, born in 1793; Bet- 
sey, in 1795; Nancy, in 1797; Silas, in 1799, Royal, 
in 1801; Robert T., in 1803; John R., in 180."); Ira, 
in 1807; L. L. Ann, in 1808, and .Jerry L., in 1817, 
Harry married Judith (iillette; Betsey married Otis 
Thompson, of West Broomfield, N. Y.; Nancy be- 



610 



Portrait ANh biographical album. 



came the wife of Reynold Peck, of the same place; 
Silas married Almira Durant and came to Washte- 
naw County in 1826; Royal took to wife Mary A. 
Pinckney and came to Michigan about the same 
time; Robert T. married Mary J. Murray after 
coming to INIicliigan and they reared one daughter 
— Phoebe A., who survives both her parents; John 
R. married Rhoda Plympton, by whom he had four 
children, and his second wife was Deborah Plymp- 
ton who became the mother of six children; Ira 
died unmarried; Ann became the wife of Elijah 
Niles, of Alleghany County, N. Y., and Jerrj- mar- 
ried Mary Allen and resided at Ovid, Clinton 
Count}'; until his death, which occurred quite re- 
centlj\ Mrs. Niles is now the only member of the 
family of that generation who survives. 



r^ 



E'SRY KIRK WHITE. It is with pleasure 
that we present to our readers a life sketch 
of the oldest resident of the county now 
living. We mean oldest in his having 
made his home here at an earlier date than anj- 
other of our pioneers who still survive. He was 
born in Palmyra, X. Y., March 21, 1821, and came 
with his parents, Orrin and Ann (Tlia3'er) White, 
to Michigan in May, 1824. The family is of most 
honorable New England ancestry, as their descent 
is traced in a direct line to Peregrine White, one 
of the Pilgrims who came over in the " May- 
flower. 

Col. Oniii White was a merchant at Palmyra, 
N. Y., and was brought up by his stepfather, ]Mr. 
Warner, as his own father died when he was an in- 
fant. He was born October 25, 1794, in Elmira, 
N. Y., and died February 18, 1864. His good 
wife was born March 31, 1800, and died six years 
after his decease. The children of this good 
couple were William, David, Joseph, James, Orrin 
and Orpheus. These last two were twins and al- 
though very j-oung at the time they took part in 
the War of 1812 as musicians, Orrin playing the 
fife and Orpheus the drum in a company of which 
their elder brother, David, was the Captain. Tliey 



took part in no battles, however, and Orpheus died 
at the age of twenty years. 

Ann Thayer, who became the wife of Orrin 
White, January 1, 1818, was the eldest child of 
Nathan and Polly (Stow) Thayer, and was born in 
Tioga, Pa. She is the onlj- sister of Capt. Charles 
Thayer, who died December 14, 1890, and who 
was for man}' years so well known in this count}' 
as the Captain of the Frontier Guards. Their 
father was a son of Capt. Levi Thayer, who was 
prominent in the War of 1812, and the family 
line is traced to Richard and Thomas Thayer, 
two brothers who made their home in Massachu- 
setts in 1636. 

Col White, after coming to Micliigan. was a 
leading man, not only among his neighbors but 
also in the broader fields of influence and was the 
leader of the farmers during the famous Toledo 
War. He was an old .Tacksonian Democrat but 
when the Republican party was organized he and 
his son Henry united themselves with that party 
in which they were ever after active. He also 
represented his district in the Michigan Legislature 
for two terms. He took a prominent part in the 
Black Hawk War, and in every way was a leader 
among men. 

The parents of our subject were blessed with 
seven children: Charles T., deceased; Henry 
Kirk, Mary Elizabeth, Maria, Salome, Orpheus and 
Nathan. All of them lived to maturity, and Mary 
became Mrs. H. T. Faruham of Hillsdale, where she 
died some seven years since. Maria married Mi-. 
Julius Foster of Adrian, and Salome is Mrs. 
Cliarles Gardner; Orpheus lives at Grand Rapids 
and Nathan settled in Fairfield, Iowa, some ten 
years ago and died there shortly afterward. 

He whose name heads this sketch remained at 
home with his father until he reached the age of 
twenty-five, when he joined his fortunes for life 
with Martha P. Stone on the 28th of Se|)tember, 
1845. This lady is a daughter of Nathan H. 
Stone, an old pioneer of Jackson County. She 
was born in Niagara Count}-, N. Y.. December 6, 
1826, and has had four children — Murray S.. 
Frank W., Freddie, deceased, and Edward E. 
After marriage our subject settled upon the farm 
where he now resides and united with some new 



fO&TRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



611 



land a portion of his father's old homestead, and 
now has a beautiful farm of one hundred and 
seven acres of valuable land on which is erected 
a handsome residence. Wliilej'et a youtli, in 181(1. 
he wheeled all the stone and burned all tlie lime 
which entered into the construction of the old 
.stone homestead, and it is with the liveliest pleasure 
that he ever speaks of those pioneer days and of 
the incidents which made them full of meaning 
to all who passed through them. Mr. and INIrs. 
White are progressive in their religious ideas and 
are of Spiritualistic tendencies. 



* ffclLLIAM S. CARPENTER. This gentle- 
\ rJ/ man is well known in Ypsilanti and 
V^^ throughout Washtenaw County as an in- 
surance agent, and the citv representative of the 
Detroit i ribune, the Chicago Tribune and the Wash- 
tenaw Times, besides other influential organs of 
the political and social movements of the day. 
He is a native of this State, born in Adrian, De- 
cember 7, 1870, and has just entered upon his life 
career with every prospect of success in his chosen 
field of labor. His father, P. W. Carpenter, was 
at the time of his son's birth a farmer but later 
became identified with the insurance business as an 
agent. 

When about seven years old our subject accom- 
panied his parents to Yp.silanti and received his 
education in the Union City School and the State 
Normal, finishing the course of study in the latter 
institution at the age of nineteen jears. Being 
fully equipped for a business career he immediately 
entered into partnership with his father in the 
insurance business, and they represent nine lead- 
ing insurance companies of England and the 
United .States. They have become known through- I 
out the county as reliable agents and have the en- 
tire confidence of the community, transacting a 
good business for the companies which the^' repre- 
sent and finding it a source of revenue to them- 
selves. 

In 1890 our subject was appointed Census Enu- 



merator for the First Ward of Ypsilanti and so 
thorough was his work that when he sent it in, he 
did not iiave a sheet returned or a question asked. 
After completing that work he took up his former 
avocation and has since then given his undivided 
attention to insurance and as correspondent of 
different papers. His man j^ friends predict for him 
a prosperous career and undoubtedly the future 
holds for him many honors in business and social 
circles. 

P. VV. Carpenter, father of our suljject, was born 
in New York State and was about eighteen years 
old when he came to Michigan. Locating in 
Adrian he entered the dry-goods store of his 
brothers as a clerk and remained with them until 
his marriage to Miss Annie E. Sprague, of Nfew 
York. The .young couple proceeded to a farm im- 
mediately after their marriage and devoted their 
time to the improvement of their place until Will- 
iam was a lad of seven years. Then they came to 
Ypsilanti and the father was for three years em- 
ployed as Deput}- Register of Deeds at Ann Arbor. 
For ten years he has been in the Ypsilanti Savings 
Bank, of which he is now Teller. He has a pleasant 
residence on South Washington Street, which is 
brightened by the presence of three children, the 
subject of this notice and his two sisters, Ruth I. 
and Fannie ¥j. 



-^-^H-^ 



_ i^=j 



*S^ RNEST E. EBERBACH is the manager of the 
1^ Eberbach Hardwai-e Company, located in 
/J' — ^ / Ann Arbor. Our subject is a native of this 
city and hence his interests are most closelj^ allied 
with every as[)ect of life with he has grown to be 
very familiar. His natal day was February 4, 
1853. He is the fourth of seven children born to 
Cbristian and Margaret (Laubengayer) Eberbach. 
For a fuller sketc'.i of the parents see history under 
the name Ottraer Eberbach. 

Our subject enjoyed the superior educational 
advantages which has been one of the greatest 
treasures that Ann Arbor has given freely to her 
citizens of all classes. He also pursued a course of 



ei^ 



tOKTRAlT AND fclOGRAl'HiCAL ALBUM. 



two years of study in the Ann Arbor High School 
after which he began his mercantile career as clerk 
in a hardware store, his employers being C. C. 
Wesdon & Son. He afterward became bookkeeper 
and continued in their emploj' for six 3-ears. 

After the experience gained in the connection 
as above stated, our subject became manager of the 
C. Eberbach Hardware Compan3- and has main- 
tained his position up to the present time. The 
establishment is the largest of the kind in the 
county- and the company carr}' a large and varied 
stock, both of heavy and lighter domestic hardware. 
They deal largelj' in stoves and furnaces, iron roof- 
ing, sheet-iron and copper work and of course work 
extensively in tin in house building, preparing 
for furnaces, etc. 

The company with which our subject is employed 
is located on the corner of Washington and Main 
Streets and takes in Nos. 23 to 25. It is 38x87 
feet in dimensions and is three stories in height. 
The company also have two other stores which 
serve as warerooms. Air. Eberbach is still a young 
man and his historj' is not so complete as it will be 
doubtless in later years when he takes upon himself 
the duties and obligations of domestic life. As yet 
he is one of the eligible bacheloi's of the city. 
Enterprising and industrious, he has already made 
himself a reputation in the business community. 
Personally genial and affable, he commends him- 
self agreeably to all who enjoy the amenities of 
social life. He is a Republican in politics, having 
abiding faith in the outcome of the tactics of that 
party. 



^ ? 



'OHN G. FELDKAMP, the owner of the 
I I fine farm on section 11, Freedom Town- 
^^;^^ ! ship, is a son of Henry Feldkamp, a native 
^/j' of AVestphalia, Prussia, who was born in 
1784. While in the Fatherland the father was a 
siiipper of produce, finding his market principally 
in Holland. After coming to America he became 
a farmer and cleared several farms in Michigan. 
AVheu a younsj man he served in the Prussian 



army against the forces of Napoleon Bonaparte. 
He held the office of Lieutenant in a regiment of 
infantry and took part in the siege of Paris, suf- 
fering the privations of that period equally with 
other soldiers. For a time their onlj- meat was 
horse flesh. He served for a period of three or 
four 3'ears, was much of the time in active service, 
and although in many battles, he was never 
wounded. Our subject's mother was Anna (Myers) 
Feldkamp, also a native of Westphalia, and born 
in 1793. They were married in their native place 
and there resided until 1836, when they came to 
j America and proceeded directl}' to Michig.an, com- 
ing at once to Freedom Township, and settling 
upon section 11, on a tract of land, he being the 
original settler upon this farm. 

In the earlj' days when our subject's parents 
located here, there were no roads from this point 
to Ann Arbor, and the latter place held but a 
handful of people. Mr. Feldkamp, Sr., purchased 
eighty acres of ground, whereon he built a log 
cabin and barn, making the sheds for his stock of 
rails. He had but limited means and was obliged 
to work very hard. He succeeded in clearing up 
the eighty acres before his death, which occurred 
in July, 1844, his widow surviving him many 
years, her death occurring in April, 1888. They 
were the parents of five children, three of whom 
are now living: Catherine, who is now Mrs. L. 
Feldkamp; our subject, and Anna, who married 
Phillip Blum. Our subject was reared in tiie faith 
of the Evangelical Church, his father being a 
Deacon of that bod.v, having helped to build St. 
Thomas' Church, of Freedom. Politically he was 
a strong Democrat and a man of unimpeachable 
honor. He never had a lawsuit nor eve r quarreled 
with anyone. He was well versed in the German 
and French languages, and although a very hard 
worker, was charitable and generous. 

•lohn G. Feldkamp was born October 27, 1832. 
in Westphalia, Germany, and brought to this place 
by his parents when three years old. He h.as a 
very good knowledge of both flerman and Eng- 
lish. He grew up in the wilds of Freedom Town- 
ship, where wolves were more plentiful than do- 
mestic animals. He was reared on a farm, but was 
earlv made familiar with the use of tools. After 




RESIDENCE OF J. BERNHARD KOEBBE ^ SEC. 2G ., FREEDOM TP., WASHTENAW CO., MICH. 




RESIDENCE OF JOHN G. FELDKAMP, 5EC.11., FREEDOt/. IP . .WASHTEN AW C0.,K/1ICH 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



615 



his father's death he worked hard to support his 
mother and sister, giving: them tiie entire fruit of 
ids labors until lie was twenty-two years of age. 
He then began tlie battle of life for himself empty- 
lianded. Settling upon his father's old home- 
stead, lie bought out the interests of the other 
lieirs in time, caring for his mother until her 
deatli. 

Marcli 10, 18r)4, John Feldkainp was married to 
Miss Olive Kuhl, a daughter of Henry Kuhl, who 
is now a citizen of Freedom Towusliip. Mrs. Feld- 
kanip was born March 4, 1834, in Westphalia. She 
enjoyed very good educational advantages, both 
in German and English. Our subject and his | 
wife are the parents of ten children, whose names 
are as follows: Emanuel, Delia, Benjamin, Heui-y, 
Catherine, Samuel, Theodore, Huldah, Clara and 
E.stlier, who is deceased. Emanuel married Chris- 
tina Boettner; Delia is the wife of .lacob Stadler; 
Benjamin married Mamie Fisk; Catlierine is the 
wife of John Boettner. Our subject has given his 
children very good educational advantages, and 
they are etjually familiar with German and Eng- 
lish. 

Himself the owner of one hundred and fifty 
acres of land which belongs to tlie homestead, 
Mr. Feldk.amp has settled both his eldest sons upon 
good farms. He carries on general farming on 
his place and has been very successful. He has 
built liis residence and a fine barn, the former of 
wliidi was erected at a cost of %2,oflO in cash be- 
sides the work which he himself put upon it. It 
is undoubted]}^ the most attractive and comfort- 
al)le liouse in Freedom Towushii), and tlie reader 
will gain some idea of its beauty from tlie view 
on another page. His first barn cost liim ^800, 
and in 1878 he built another at the cost of $CM). 
There are besides all the outbuildings retpiired of 
a well-regulated agricultural place. 

Mr. Feldkamp was Director in a Grange store 
for four years, and for a time was a stockholder in 
the .Savings Bank in Ann Arlior. His family are 
members of the Evangelical Church, of which lie 
has been Trustee. Politicallv he has always been 
a leader in Freedom Township and a life long 
Democrat. He was elected Supervisor of the town- 
ship in 1851, and served fourteen or fifteen years. 



During the Civil War he served his township as 
Supervisor, and furnished ninety-six credits for 
his district. For a number of years he has been 
engaged in settling up estates and has closed up 
about fifty, and at the present time has two 
important ones to attend to, aggregating together 
about $30,000. Although a man of large busi- 
ness dealings, he has never had a lawsuit on his 
own account. Personally Mr. Feldkamp is of most 
commanding appearance, standing six feet two 
inches in his stocking feet. All his life he has 
been blest with herculean strength, never having 
been sick with the exception of ague, from which 
■"he suffered when eight years old. 






iT?OHN BERNARD KOEBBE. Freedom Town- 
ship is conspicuous for the Teutonic ele- 
ment which is predominant, and their su- 
perior methods in agriculture are evident in 
the well-kept and productive farms. Our subject 
is one of the large number of Germans who have 
here developed the resources of this region so ex- 
tensively. He is the owner of a fine farm located 
on section 26. Mr. Koebbe is a son of Henry 
Koebbe, a native of Westphalia, Prussia. The lat- 
ter died in 1844, at the age of forty -six years. His 
wife was prior to her marriage, a Miss Fllsalnne Bul- 
locke, also a native of Westphalia, Prussia. Her 
decease took place in 1881, at the age of eighty- 
three years. 

Henry Koebbe died in Germany, where during 
the greater portion of his lifetime he was engaged 
as a fanner. Of his six children, our subject alone 
survives. John Bernard Koebbe was born June 
24, 1828, in W'esti)halia, and was seventeen yeavs 
of age when he came to America. The mother and 
five children made the voyage hither together, and 
on landing they proceeded at once to Michigan and 
settled on section 27, Freedom Township, on eighty 
acres of raw land. Their first home here was a log 
house, and they had also a log stable. For the first 
year after settling here, our subject worked out on 



616 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



a farm and then went to Ann Arbor. While in his 
native land he had learned the trade of a cabinet- 
maker, and on going to Ann Arbor found emplo}'- 
ment with F. E. Royce for six months. He then 
went to Manchester and worked at the same busi- 
ness for a Mr. Clarksou for several winters, spend- 
ing the summers on the homestead in the work of 
developing the farm. 

Subsequently our subject built a shop on the 
home farm on section 27, and worked at his trade 
in connection with his brother George. Together 
they carried on the business for fifteen years. On 
May 6, 1858, John B. Koebbe was married to Anna 
Feldkamp, a daughter of Henry Feldkamp, who 
came to Michigan in 1844, and settled in Freedom 
Township, where he spent the remainderof his life. 
Mrs. Koebbe was born July 19, 1837, in Westpha- 
lia, Prussia. She received a good education in her 
native land, and has a good knowledge of English. 
On their marriage our subject and his wife settled 
upon his present farm, which comprised one hun- 
dred and sixty acres, and was owned bj^ three broth- 
ers. The equities of the other two were bought 
out by John. At the time it had a log house and 
barn and some land broken. Our subject now has 
one hundred acres under cultivation, and built a 
pleasant and comfortable residence in 1873, at a 
cost of 12,300. A view of this commodious house 
and rural surroundings is shown on anjther page. 
He also has three fine barns upon his place, the last 
one having been erected in 1882. Upon this place 
he carries on his agricultural pursuits in a most 
systematic and scientific way. 

Five children have been born to our subject and 
his wife, and of these, four are now living — Au- 
gust, Edwin, Mary and Melinda. Edwin married 
Christine Finkbiner, and lives at home; Mary is 
the wife of P^dward Weis. Our subject is a mem- 
ber of the Evangelical Church, as arc also the mem- 
bers of his family. For the past ten years he has 
been Trustee, and is besides a Sunday-school teacher. 
The children attended the district schools of the 
vicinity, and the eldest son was a student at the 
Union school at Manchester. Mr. Koebbe has al- 
ways taken an active interest in polities, and is a 
firm Democrat, although in local politics he votes 
for the best man. He iiimself has never been am- 



bitious to be an office-holder. The comfortable 
mode of life which he and his family are at the 
present time able to enjoy is entirely due to his in- 
defatigable efforts, as he had nothing to begin busi- 
ness with. So long as his mother lived she was his 
first care and consideration. He worked at his 
trade until his health gave w.ay, when he was 
obliged to take up farming. 



l>-^<^^ 



i\ J^ OUSTER BLODGETT. The owner of a fine 
\/iJ/' f*i""i located on sections 21 and 28, Web- 
'yv*/ ster Townsiiip, is a wealthy farmer and 
stock-raiser, who owns a handsome property in 
this locality. He was born in Wayne County, 
N. v., in tlie township of Bucklin, November 1, 
1831. He is a son of Luke and Mary A. (Ander- 
son) Blodgett, both natives of East Hartford, 
Conn. The former was born March 28, 1 803, and 
the latter November 12, 1807. They were mar- 
ried in New York and in 1835 came to Michigan. 
There were at that time two children in the 
family, Worster being the elder. His father pur- 
chased (iiic hundred and sixty acres, where our 
subject now lives. He bent his energies toward 
improving the place, and in time added two 
hundred and twenty acres on section 21. Luke 
Blodgett died here April 21, 1879, at the good old 
age of seventy -six j-ears; his wife had preceded 
hini two years, her decease having taken place 
September 15, 1877, at the age of sixty-nine j'cars. 
Politically the senior Mr. Blodgett was a Republi- 
can, although formerly a 'WHiig, and one of the 
Toledo War soldiers. 

Two children were added to the famil3' after 
tiieii- parents came to this State. Their names 
were: He of whom we write; Edwin, who was 
born February 10, 1835; Charlie, born July 18, 
1839; and Laura Minnie, born August 21, 1843, 
died when two years old. Edwin was married 
.luiie 8, 1870, to Francela Derby and lived on the 
home farm until his death, which occurred Novein- 
Iier 25, 1872, at thirty-seven years of age. Charles 
also remained at home until his death, when he was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



617 



twenty-nine years old, April 13, 1869. He was 
unmarried. AVorster remained at home until the 
lireaking out of the late war, when he enlisted, 
at Dexter, in Company K, Fourth Micliigan In- 
fantry, May 15, 1861, and was one of the men 
who responded to the first call for seventy-five 
thousand troops, but was mustered in for three 
years in the Army of the Potomac. He was wounded 
at Malvern Hill in June, 1862, and was taken to 
Portsmouth, and then spent four months at llaniii- 
ton Grove, when he was discharged, never liav- 
ing fully recovered from his wounds 

Our subject reached home after his military 
ex]jerience in November, 1862, and after some- 
what iniinoving his health he resumed farming, 
and lias lieen thus engaged ever since. June 1, 
1879, he was married to the widow of his brother, 
Edwin, and since that time has lived on the farm. 
This marriage has not been blessed with children, 
but they have one daughter, who is tlie fruit of 
the marriage of our subject's wife with his brother. 
She is now a brilliant young lady of nineteen 
3'ears of age and is a graduate of the Ann Arbor 
High School, having finished witli the Class of 
'91. She has given special attention to music and 
is proficient in this art. Mrs. Bk)dgett is the 
daughter of Peninia and Sidney (Phelps) Derby, 
who settled on a farm in Dexter Townsliip, after- 
ward removing to the village of Dexter, where he 
had a store. Mrs. Blodgett's father was twice 
married, she being a daughter of the first marriage, 
the second union being fruitless. The children of 
the first marriage were: Mary Antoinette, William 
Wallace, Francelia and Manfried. The first named 
is Mrs. Henry Dole, now of Ypsilanti; William 
lives in Ann Arbor; Manfried is a merchant in 
Xewberry, this State; Francelia was liorn in the 
village of Dexter, July 22, 1839. After complet- 
ing her education she began to teacli in Adrian, 
but later taught in Dexter until her marriage, and 
five years previous to that evi'ut was in the Dex- 
ter School. 

Our subject and his wife are members of the 
Congregational Ciiurcli and liave been tlius con- 
nected for many years. Although lie is an ardent 
Republican, he is not in any sense a politician 
or office-seeker, believing tliat his loyalty is as 



truly expressed by his purity of principles as a 
citizen as otherwise. Mr. Blodgett is the possessor 
of an oil painting of liis father and mother, which 
is a work of art that w.as executed by II. Waldo 
(•uest, a native of Dexter. 



\T/ OHN W. BLAKESLEE, prominent in agri- 
I cultural and social circles of York Town- 
,^ 1 ship, Washtenaw County, was born in Madi- 
(^// son C'ounty, N. Y., on the 25tli of April, 
1830, his parents, John \V. and Urana (Bonney) 
Blakeslee, both being natives of New York. The 
father was a wagon-maker and a farmer, and our 
subject was brought up at home and lived upon 
the farm until he became of age. His father was a 
soldier in the War of 1812, and his paternal grand- 
father was a Revolutionarj' soldier. 

A limited educati(m was given to our sul)ject,.as 
the schools then were supported by the rate bill, 
and there was no money in the county to meet the 
expense. He went only in the winter months af- 
ter reaching the age of twelve, and not at all after 
he became eighteen years old. He remembers 
Michigan when he came here in 1836, as a perfect 
wilderness, for his father settled in the unbroken 
forest and did genuine p'oneer work. The father 
died in 1860, at the old homestead, and his mother 
survived until 1881. 

Our subject was married November 24, 1850, to 
Elizabeth Ricliards, of York Township, and a 
daugliter of William Richards. This lady was born 
in England, March 10, 1829, came to the United 
States in infancy, and has spent all her life in 
Washtenaw County, as her parents were among the 
early settlers of York Township. One child blessed 
this home. Flora E., born May 6, 1857, ))ut she was 
called to her heavenly home October 18, 1881, leav- 
ing her jiarents inconsolable. 

Mr. Blakeslee has been long identified with the 
agricultural interests of York Township, and at 
the time of leaving his farm had four hundred 
acres of fine land, and still has two hundred acres. 



618 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



He breeds good stock and carries on mixed farm- 
ing, but after tlie death of the daughter, he and liis 
wife were unhappy npon the farm, and decided to 
seek new scenes and new relations, and therefore 
removed to Milan, Mich., where he still continues 
his home. He is a Republican in his political views 
and for a term of five years held the oflice of Su- 
pervisor of the township. He was also .Justice of 
the Peace for four years, and his wife is an earnest 
and active member of the Baptist Churcli. 



1/ OHN L. SMITH. This retired farmer is of 
British birth and parentage and was born at 
Wrought Hill, Northumberland County, 
^^' England, April 14, 1827. His parents, 
Adam and Margaret (Lamb) Smith, were natives of 
the same county, the father being a farmer. Upon 
the 8th of May, 1833, the family, then consist- 
ing of father, mother, and two sons (our subject 
and Robert) took cars at Anna, thirty miles from 
Liverpool, and traveled by railwaj^ (the only steam 
railway then in existence) to that city, whence they 
set sail for Philadeljjhia, being eight weeks and one 
day on the ocean. 

The family soon went to New York City and 
thence to Geneva but finding that Michigan af- 
forded great attractions they came on here arriv- 
ing September 13, 1833 and buying two hundred 
and forty-eight acres in the township of Scio, a 
small portion of which had already seen some im- 
provements, paying $500 for the first eighty acres 
and 8250 each for the other two. The death of 
the parents of our subject occurred after coming to 
this State, the mother passing awa}' April 8, 1847, 
at the age of fift3', and the father surviving until 
May 29, 1874, when he was seventy years old. 
One child only was born in Michigan, James L. 
Smith, who now resides in Dexter. 

All the sons of this family worked together until 
the last one had reached the age of twenty-one 
about which time John L. was married. At the 
time of Robert's marriage he took charge of his 
father-in-law's farm .ind as did also James for his 



wife's father and finally our subject bought the in- 
terest of the other brothers and held the old home- 
stead in his own right. The homestead contains 
three hundred and seventy acres and is located on 
section 18, Scio Township and there are one hun- 
dred and five acres on sections 29 and 30, upon all 
of which Mr. Smith carries on general farming. 

In November 1882 our subject left the farm and 
came to Dexter bu3'ing the home where he now 
resides near the center of the town, and since that 
time he has engaged in buying and shipping grain 
His father married a widow, Mrs. Lenore (Rosier) 
Babcock, widow of John Babcock, of Scio Township 
and daughter of John Rosier. Two years after 
this second wife died leaving one child, Isabel, who 
is now Mrs. William Smith, of Ceresco, Calhoun 
County. In 1854 the father of our subject was a 
delegate to the Jackson Convention and his influ- 
ence brought many Whigs into the Republican 
party. He was an active member of the Baptist 
Church and assisted largely in building up that 
society. He of whom we write entered into the 
bonds of matrimony, November 25, 1852, with 
Sarah E. Smith who was born in Scio Township, 
June 1, 1833. She is the eldest of a family of 
three daughters of her parents, Thomas and Sarah 
(Lacy) Smith. Mrs. Smith's father was from East 
Riding, Yorkshire, England, and the mother was 
from the city of Leicester. Both had come to 
Washtenaw County in 1831 and were married here 
tlie following year. Sarah Lacj' came here with 
an uncle, John Callis, who settled on section 21, 
Scio Township in 1831. Thomas Smith secured 
from the Government four hundred acres of land 
on sections 29 and 30, where he lived and died. 

Thomas Smith died in Apiil. 18t)3, at the age of 
eighty-five years. He was an energetic and pro- 
gressive farmer and improved some two hundred 
actres of his land. His widow passed from life at 
the old homestead January 12, 1878, having lived 
eighty-five years. They had three children, Sarah 
E. (the wife of our subject), .Jane and Mary Ann. 
Jane became the wife of Robert Smith and died at 
the age of twenty-three and Maiy Ann married 
James Smith. Mrs. Sarah E. Smith was born 
June 1, 1833 and received her education in 
the public schools of Ann Arbor. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



619 



The children who have been granted to our sub- 
ject and his excellent wife are as follows; Matilda 
J., Emma R., Thomas H., Sarah Ann, Jay A. Ma- 
tilda is now Mrs. Thomas Y. Phelps, of Scio Town- 
ship; Emma is the wife of John W. Rosier, a rail- 
way employe at Jackson; Thomas, who married 
Ada, daughter of J. Y. N. Gregory, lives on the 
old homestead and Sai'ah is the wife of Herman 
Plastman. a book-keeper at Ann Arbor. Jay A. 
resides on section 20, of Scio Township, his wife 
being Estella, daughter of John S. Pacey , of Dexter. 

The office of Supervisor was given to our subject 
in 1866 and 1867, and again in 1880 and 1881; 
although he does not mingle largely in political 
matters he is quite active in local politics and is a 
Republican with Prohibition proilivities. He and 
his wife are earnest meml)ers of the Baptist Church 
at Dexter and very useful in this connection. 



*^^1 



J. KNAPP. One of the leading German- 
American fanners of Freedom Township is 
he whose name is at the head of this sketch, 
where he owns a farm on section 35. He is 
a son of John Jacob Knapp, a native of Wurtem- 
berg, Germany. The elder jNIr. Knapp while in 
his native land learned the business of a butcher, 
but later became a farmer. Our subject's mother 
was Anna Mary (Northway) Knapp, also a native 
of Wurtemberg. The family emigrated to Amer- 
ica in 1828-29, settling first in Philadelphia, where 
the head of the family followed the business of 
butchering for a period of alxnit three j'ears. In 
1842 they came to Micbig.an and settled upon the 
farm which our subject now owns in Freedom 
Township. 

At the time of our subject's advent hither there 
were but few improvements in the township. The 
country was almost all heavily timbered and there 
was on the place a tiny log house and a log stable. 
Our subject's father died in 18.')?. His mother sur- 
vived until 1884. They were the parents of five 
children, two of whom are now living — our subject 
and his brother, William J., who is in the hardware 



business at Chelsea. The religious training to 
which Jacob Knapp was brought up was that of 
the Evangelical Church of which his parents were 
members, the father having been a Deacon in the 
same. He also took an active part in local politics 
and was an old-line Whig. Many times he stood 
as candidate for various offices in this locality, but 
his party was in hopeless minority. 

Jacob Knapp was the eldest child born to his 
parents, his birthday being March 15, 1842, and 
his natal place being Philadelphia. The same 
year the family came to Michigan where as the child 
grew older he attended the district school and ac- 
quired a practical knowledge of the ordinary 
branches there taught. He also had the additional 
advantages of a short time at the Union School of 
Jackson. The decease of his father occurring when 
he was fifteen years of age, three years later he as- 
sumed the full charge of the farm and has ever 
since remained here. He is now the owner of two 
hundred and fifty-two acres, having about one 
hundred and seventy-five acres under cultivation. 
He carries on general farming. 

Since becoming proprietor in full of the place 
our subject has greatly increased its value by add- 
ing to its buildings and erecting new barns. He 
here has a very pleasant home and everj'thing re- 
quired to lead a comfortable and happy life. He 
is the ownei' of some fine stock, making a specialty 
of fine-wool sheep. He also has some fine draft 
horses and deals in the last named stock to quite a 
considerable extent, making frequent trips to Ohio 
for the purpose of there buying the finer breeds. 

In 1866 the original of our sketch was married 
to Miss Dora Schmidt, a daughter of Peter and 
Christina (Bentler) Schmidt, who came to Michigan 
about 1843-44, settling first in Scio Township. 
The decease of Mrs. Knapp's jjarents occurred at 
our subject's home, they passing awaj' within two 
years of each other. They were the parents of 
seven children, all of whom are living. Mrs. 
Knapp was born in Germany in 1843. She there 
received a good education. Our subject and his 
wife have had their union blessed by the birth of two 
children — Adam, who is now a student at the High 
School at Manchester, and Emma Johanna Chris- 
tina, who attends school at home. Our subject and 



620 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



his wife are members of the Evangelical Church in 
Freedom Township. He of whom we write has 
been an incumbent of local offices in the district 
for many years. He is a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen at Manchester, and is a 
Trustee of that society at the present time. He 
also united with the Knights of Honor of Manches- 
ter, where he also occupies a position of Trustee. 
He moreover belongs to the Arbeiter Verein of 
of Manchester and is a Trustee of that order; he is 
also a member of the Masonic order of Manches- 
ter. In politics Mr. Knapp has always been very 
active and is a warm adherent of the Democratic 
party. He has served as Constable of Freedom 
Township and as Highway Commissioner for many 
years and for five years held the jxisition of Drain 
Commissioner; was Township Clerk for three years 
and Deputy Township Clerk for five years and 
Justice of the Peace for twelve years, which latter 
office he is now holding. He is also Health Officer 
at the present time and has been Township Treas- 
urer. In 1880 he was elected County Treasurer 
and re-elected in 1882 thus serving four years in 
this capacity. For twelve years past he has attended 
every county convention and has also served many 
terms on the Board of Canvass and for eight years 
past has been an attendant at the District and 
Senatorial conventions, frequently serving upon 
political committees. Mr. Knapp is known as fig- 
uring among the prominent politicians of this 
State. 



\lj(JHN F. PACKARD. This repr&sentative 
1 I farmer in Salem Township was born therein 
n 1831. His parents, Orson and Rhoda 
(Raymour) Packard, located in what is now 
this township in 1830. Their journey was made 
through great difficulties and the last stage of it — 
the six miles from Plymouth to their new home — 
was taken on foot. They had come as far as that 
in a wagon, and there the wife shouldered the 
rifle and the husband the baby (their first born) 
and they walked to Salem Township. Here Mr. 



Packard put up a shanty and immediately began 
to clear avvay the timber from the eighty acres 
which he had purchased from the Government. 
The parents experienced all the hardships of the 
pioneer life they had chosen and lived to see the 
wilderness blossom like the rose, the father dying 
in 1887. He was born January 23, 1806, in Mace- 
don, Wayne County, X. Y., and was a son of John 
Packard, Sr., who was of English descent. 

After growing up upon the farm our subject at 
tlie age of nineteen years took up the trade of a 
carpenter which he followed for twenty-five years, 
living meanwhile since the spring of 1855 where 
he now resides. He was married in 1854 to Miss 
Chloe M., daughter of Silas Wheelock, and unto 
this union were born three children, Carrie S., 
Mar\- K. and Orson W., the last named dying in 
childhood. The oldest daughter is the wife of 
Williiim Lyke, of Canton, Wayne County, and 
Mary is now Mrs. C4eorge Gale. 

^Ir. Packard has been actively identified in every 
w.iv witii the best interests of the county and is 
highly respected throughout tiie community. In 
his political affiliations he is counted in the ranks 
of the Republican party and has great faith in its 
ultimate triumph. The brothers and sisters of our 
subject are, Mary A., who became the wife of Levi 
C. Quackenbush; Cynthia A.. Mrs. Theron Wyckoff, 
of Salem Township, and Harvey C. D..also residing 
in tiiat township. 

Tiie parents of our subject were well known 
throughout the community as earnest and con- 
scientious Christians and membersof the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. The father embraced Christianity 
in the year 1835 and the mother in 1841, and they 
were among those who assisted in the organization 
of that church in Salem. The convention for that 
purpose was held upon their farm in the year 1841. 
Mr. Packard was scrupulously honest and was at 
all times recognized as one of tiie most stanch and 
reliable of men. 

Mrs. Packard is a daughter of Silas and Aliuira 
(Durant) Wheelock, natives of Ontario County, N. 
Y. and Berkshire County, Mass., respectively. It 
was as early as 1826 when Mr. Wheelock first came 
to Washtenaw County and here he bought land 
and then returned to Xew York to secure his bride. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



621 



He (lid not return with her until 1828, and in 
Washtenaw County their six children weie born, 
namely: Caroline E., who became the wife of 
George fScott and died soon after; Jerry L., now 
residing in Shiawassee County; Chloe M., Mrs. 
Packard; George D., deceased; Robert T. and Royal 
S., both of Howell. 



^^ 



•^Oi#-?— 



(AMES BURRH^L ANGELL, President of 
the University of Micliigan, was born in 
the town of Scituate, R. I., on the 7th of 
^^ January, 1829. He is the eldest of eight 
ciiildren, a .son of Andrew Aldrich and Aniey 
(Aldrich) Angell, and is directly descended from 
Thomas Angell, who came froni Massachusetts to 
Rhode Island with Roger Williams. 

The early education of James — that is until he 
was about seven years of age — was obtained in 
the common schools of his native town. He then 
studied in an excellent private sciiool near his 
home, where he remained four years. He was 
then for two years a pu))il in academies in See- 
konk, Ma.ss., and in North Scituate, R. I. This 
was followed by a like period of time in work on 
his father's farm. The boy finished his prepara- 
tion for college in the University Grammar School 
in Providence, chiefly under the instruction of 
Dr. Henrj- Simmons Frieze, present Professor of 
Latin in the University of Michigan. 

James entered Brown University as a Freshman 
in September, 1845 — which institution was then 
under the direction of that great teacher, Dr. 
Wajiand. Among his contemporaries in college 
were the Hon. S. S. Cox, Chief Justice Durfer, of 
Rhode Island, Rev. Dr. Fisher, of Yale Theological 
Seminary, Judge Dickman, of Cleveland, Rev. 
Dr. Murray. Dean of Princeton College, and the 
late Prof. Diman. He was graduated from tlie 
University in 1849, with the highest honors of 
his class. "Undergraduate honors do not often 
forecast a similar success in the affairs of real life, 
but it is worth while to recall that a tradition 
still lingers at Brown of tlie remarkable successes 



of this young student, achieved forty years ago. 
Sueli versatility and mental grasp did he display 
that the elders of the college did not hesitate to 
rise up and declare that the world contained great 
prizes for a youtli to whom the Homeric theory 
and the nebular liypothesis offered equal charms. 
Such:in enthusiasm on the part of college professors 
is not, unhappily, always dei)endable, but in this 
case it has been sufHciently sustained." 

It was during his collegiate studies that the 
subject of this sketch, influenced in no small de- 
gree by the deep and simple faith of Dr. Wayland, 
became a professor of religion, attaeliing liimself 
to the Congregational Church. During the last 
year of his college course he came to the conclu- 
sion that he would enter the ministry', but this 
purpose he subsequently abandoned, having con- 
tracted a disease of the throat — a sufficient cause 
for his abandonment of the plan of studying the- 
ology. 

For a year after graduation the young man 
was assistant in the University library, giving, at 
the same time, private instruction to a student. 
He then spent a winter traveling through the 
South on horseback for his health which, upon his 
return, was so precarious that it was thought nec- 
essary for him to lead an out-door life. He there- 
upon decided to take up civil engineering, enter- 
ing the office of E. S. Chesborough, city engineer 
of Boston, in charge of the Cochituate AVater 
Works (afterward city engineer of Chicago), and 
spending some months in the work. But, in De- 
cember, 1851, an opportunity presenting itself 
to go to Europe for a few months, he gave up 
engineering and started on a trip to the Old 
World. Soon after arriving there, he. was invited 
by the trustees of Brown University to take tiie 
chair of Modern Languages or the chair of Civil 
Engineer, as he might prefer, and remain in Eu- 
rope to stud}'. He chose the former, and remained 
until August, 1853, traveling and studying in 
Italy, France and Germany. 

The chair of Modern Languages and Literature 
in Brown University was filled l\y Prof. Angell 
until 1860, with the most gratifying success. He 
developed the highest qualities as a teacher during 
its administration. "His own ripe culture in this 



622 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



department; his admirable taste; his enthusiastic, 
stimulating mind; his heart^v convictions, com- 
bined with attractive methods of tuition, made 
him one of the most successful professoi'S in a 
university- which has not been wanting in some 
of our most influential educators." In short, his 
versatility was found to include the rare gift of 
imparting knowledge in an original and attrac- 
tive manner; hence his success. 

But Prof. Angell was not only of the cloister 
— he was a man of the world in the true sense of 
the term. He kept himself "posted" in outside 
affairs, as is evidenced by the fact that duri-ng the 
last two years of his professorship he wi'ote most 
of the leading articles in the Providence Journal, 
a newspaper which has always been noted for the 
ability of its editorials. In 1860 the Hon. Henry 
B. Anthony, having, in 1858, been elected United 
States Senator, offered to Prof. Angell the whole 
editorial care of the paper. "This position he ac- 
cepted and held for six years. He conducted the 
Journal during the period of the Civil War. It 
was among the most uncompromisingly loyal; it 
never faltered in its support of the Government, 
and was never despondent. In the darkest hour, 
of the struggle the well-known buoyancy and 
manly courage of its editor found daily expres- 
sion in his editorials, some of which were circu- 
lated as campaign documents dining the eritic.Tl 
periods of the conflict." 

Prof. Angell was now offered the Presidency of 
the University of Vermont, and this position he 
accepted, his inauguration taking place in August. 
1866. His address upon that occasion, although 
prepared necessarily in great haste, is rememliered 
as a masterly effort. He took charge of the insti- 
tution at a most unfortunate period; money was 
to be raised — students were to be brought in. It 
has been said, with truth, that "he assumed the 
duties of his new otHce-at a time when the for- 
tunes of the college were at a low ebb, and its fu- 
ture seemed somewhat overcast; but he gave him- 
self up to these duties with so much organizing 
and executive ability, with so clear and accurate 
a perception of the true idea of collegiate educa- 
tion; he brought to his chair so much of the finest 
culture, so much attractiveness and power in per- 



sonal character, such line gifts as an instructor as 
to render the future of the college decidedly hope- 
ful." Eighty thousand dollai-s were finally raised, 
and the number of students was largely increased. 

In 1868 the degree of LL.D. was conferred upon 
Prof. Angell by his Alma Mater — the highest 
honor she could give one of her sons — at the same 
time selecting him for the annual oration before 
its Alumni at the Commencement, in 1869. 

Dr. Angell during the last year mentioned was 
invited to take the position of President of the 
University of Michigan, but declined because he 
felt he could not properly leave the Vermont in- 
stitution at that time; however, the invitation 
having been renewed in 1871, he concluded to ac- 
cejjt. This brought him to Ann Arbor — to the 
head of the leading educational institution in the 
West. But we cannot dismiss the subject without 
something of an elaboration concerning the ap- 
pointment, acceptance and inauguration of Dr. 
Angell as President of the University, because of 
the interest thereby awakened. 

"Immediately after the resignation of Dr. Ha- 
ven, "says a late writer, "a committee had been ap- 
pointed whose duty it was to select his successor. 
The members of the committee visited the East 
and first offered the Presidency to President See- 
lye, of Amherst College. After some considera- 
tion he declined it. Upon the recommendation of 
Prof. Frieze, the committee then visited ^■ermont 
University to learn of President Angell if he 
would accept the position. He visited Ann Arbor 
and was unanimously elected President by the 
Board of Regents. So great was the opposition 
made by President Angell's friends in \'ermont 
to his leaving the University of Vermont, that he, 
too, was obliged, reluctantly, the regents were 
a-ssured, to decline the office. 

"The committee continued their efforts in search 
for a President; eighteen months passed and still 
the office was vacant. .Satisfied with the adminis- 
tration of Acting President Erieze during that 
time, the regents, at an informal meeting of all 
but one, directed the chairman of this committee 
to converse with Prof. Frieze and intimate to him 
that he would probably be chosen President at the 
next meeting if he would accept the position. He 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



623 



replied that lie did not wish the permanent posi- 
tion of President, that he believed that President 
Angell could ultimately be obtained, and he was 
willing to accept the Presidency only- to such time 
as President Angell could be procured. 

"A correspondence was again opened with Presi- 
dent Angell, and in February, 1871, he was a sec- 
ond time elected President by the following reso- 
lution: 

Remli-ed, — That Hon. James H. Angell, LL.D., 
be declared elected President of the University 
at a salary of 14,500 a year and house rent, and 
that his expenses of removal from Vermont to Ann 
Arbor be paid by the University, his salary to l>e- 
gin August 1, 1871. 

'•Tills invitation was accepted. Dr. Angell was 
inaugurated President of the Univei'sity by Act-' 
ing President Frieze on Commencement Day, June 
28, 1871. The warm welcome publicly given him 
by Prof. Frieze found a response among the stu- 
dents and citizens of the State. Xo less heartily 
was greeted the new President's graceful tribute 
to Prof. Frieze: 'And, sir, permit me to say that I 
count it as one of my chief encouragements, and 
as my special, good fortune, that, in entering on 
my duties, I can lean on the tried arm of one 
whose character and scholarship and friendship I 
learned to esteem long j'ears ago, in my boyhood, 
and whose two years' administration of the Presi- 
denc}' has been so honorable to himself and so 
useful to the University.' " 

The institution that Dr. Angell was thus called 
upon to direct was in the enjoyment of great 
prosperity; nevertheless, because of the recent in- 
novations, all his administrative skill was quickly 
brought into requisition — with what success has 
already been told in this number of the "Maga- 
zine of Western History." (December, 1886.) 
We may supplement the statement before made, 
however, by saying that since Dr.' Angell has been 
at the head of affairs m the University of Michi- 
gan a number of buildings have been erected 
(though he by no means claims the sole credit of 
their erection.) We enumerate: the main build- 
ing of the library department, the museum, the 
hospitals, the boiler house, the wing of the dental 
college, the librarv, the engineering laboratory; 
and the chemical laboratory has been nearly quad- 



rupled in size. The elective system lias licen in- 
troduced in the literary department; the medical, 
law and dental courses have all been lengthened; 
the general order has been greatly improved; the 
variety of courses of instruction has been greatlv 
enlarged, and the standard of attainment in all 
departments greatly elevated. 

But we have anticipated, hi 1879 the Presi- 
dent of the I'nited States appointed Dr. Angell 
minister to China, as is well known. Now, this 
was in no sense a political appointment. It was a 
tribute paid to a man having a national reputa- 
tion as a learned, polished and refined gentleman 
— as the honored President of an educational in- 
stitution the peer of any in the land. It was an 
appointment eminently fitted to be made. A bit 
of history must now be indulged in. 

During the "Sand Lot" troubles in San Fran- 
cisco Congress was urgeutl_y called \\\wn to re- 
vise the (then) existing Burlingame treaty with 
China, in some way so as to restrain the un- 
licensed immigration of coolies, and satisfy the 
unruly demands of Pacilic Slope Labor. Secre- 
tary Evarts was instructed that such a revision 
must be made, and the Secretary, casting about for 
a suitable person to undertake a mission so deli- 
cate and so important, hit upon President Angell. 
prompted by reasons in his favor just enumer- 
ated. Tlie proposal first made was that Dr. Angell 
should siinplj' assume the chairmanship of a com- 
mission to inquire into the relations arising out of 
the Burlingame treaty-, and suggest a revision. 
But the diplomatic relations then existing with 
China were such as to suggest an enlargement of 
this plan. The then minister to that country was 
George F. Seward, a nephew of IMr. Lincoln's Sec- 
retary of State, whose appointment had arisen out 
of tliis relationship, but whose record had been 
far from satisfactory to the State Department. In- 
deed, frequent complaints had of late years reached 
Washington, some of them of a serious character. 
In a word, it was deemed best to demand Mr. 
Seward 's return to America, and Dr. Angell having 
accepted a simple chairmanship of the commis- 
sion, was speedily urged to go to China as min- 
ister-elect, commissioned with the unpleasant duty 
of bearing to Mr. Seward tlie letter recalling him. 



624 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



The other members of the commission were Will- 
iam H. Trescott, of South Carolina and John F. 
Swift, of California. 

It so happened that just as J)r. Angell and his 
colleagues arrived at I'ekin, the eminent German 
minister, Von Brant, had just concluded an unim- 
Ijortant commercial treaty between China and his 
government. The treaty, unimportant as it was, 
was the result of no less than two j'ears of stead_y 
application on the part of perhaps the ablest and 
wittiest European minister in Pekin. Ur. Angell 
previous to his departure from America had ob- 
tained one year's leave of absence from the re- 
gents of the University of IMichigan, expecting 
to complete his dulies within that time. When 
he made this fact known to the European diplo- 
mats in Pekin they were filled with astonishment. 
"You do not know the Chinese Government," 
they said, "The most conservative, the slowest, the 
most jealous of foreigners on earth. Go back and 
have your leave of absence extended to five years, 
and you may have time enovigh to accomplish 
your mission." 

With this discouraging outlook, the commission 
started out. How little the Europeans had calcu- 
lated on the efficiency of alert American methods 
is sufficiently shown by the fact that within sixty 
days Dr. Angell and his colleagues had secured 
not only a satisfactory and friendly revision of 
the Burlingame treaty in respect to the importa- 
tion of Chinese labor, but an important commer- 
cial treaty as well, regulating the importation of 
opium. 

And here, we may add, that the Protestant 
Chinese converts had been taxed in their villages 
for support of festivals in heathen temples. This 
was a hardship and a wrong. The Roman Catho- 
lic converts were exempt from this task. Dr. 
Angell took up the matter and got the Chinese 
Government to issue a mandate exempting the 
Protestants. This was gratefully appreciated by 
them. Aside from the Chinese mission, which he 
resigned as soon as the appointed work was done. 
Dr. Angell has never departed from his labor as 
President of the University of Michigan since his 
inaugurati(m. 

When Dr. Angell assumed the Presidency at 



Ann Arbor there were more than a thousand stu- 
dents in the institution; there are now something 
over fifteen hundred. The cares growing out of 
the great responsibilities of his station have not 
prevented him from making his influence felt in 
the State at large. '"His addresses on literary and 
educational topics in different portions of Michi- 
gan; his generous and elegant hospitality to all 
alumni and friends of the university; his earnest 
Christian sympatliy, as shown in his baccalaureate 
discourses, as well as bis less formal addresses to 
students; his happj* methods in keeping in har- 
mony the various elements of the different facul- 
ties; his genial firmness as a disciplinarian, to- 
gether with his remarkable familiarity with the 
conditions and wants, as well as the weaknesses, 
of individual students, exert a permanent and 
powerful influence in behalf of higher education 
in Michigan and throughout the Northwest. 

The subject of this sketch was married, in 1855, 
to Sarah S. Caswell, daughter of the late Presi- 
dent Caswell, of Brown Universitj*. Dr. Angell 
has contributed numerous articles to the "North 
American Review," "Bibliotheca Sacra," and other 
reviews and magazines, all indicating the pro- 
found scholarship and thought of their author. 






(i^^jRACY LAY' TOWNER, LL. B. is a promising 
//S\ young attorney of Ypsilanti and Ciicuit 
V^^ Court Commissioner of Washtenaw County. 
Ills father, Norman K. Towner was born in Bata- 
via, N. Y''. October 3, 1816. His grandfather. Gen. 
Ephraim Towner, was bom in Goshen, Litchfield 
County, Conn., and was but a young man when he 
moved to West Bloomfield, Ontario County, thence 
to Batavia, Genesee County, N. Y. where he fol- 
lowed the occupation of a tanner and manufacturer 
of leather; he also engaged in farming having an 
improved farm near Batavia. In 1835 he came to 
Michigan locating in Ypsilanti where he engaged 
in the grocery business. He died in 1851. Gen. 
Ephraim Towner entered a New Y'ork Regiment as 
Lieuteu'int iu the War of 1812. Later on he was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



625 



active in the State jMilitia and was General of a ilivi- 
siun ,also Comnianclor-in-C'liiet' of the troops between 
Buffalo and Canandaigua. His ancestors orioinally 
came from England in 1689. Our subject's grand- 
mother, Anna Kellogg, was born in Berksiiire 
Count}', Mass. Slie died in Batavia, N. Y., in 1816. 
Her father, Elijah Kellogg, was a native of Massa- 
chusetts and was in the War of the Revolution. 

Mr. Towner's father was reared in Batavia on a 
farm. When foiu'teen years of age he began clerk- 
ing, following that l)usiness until 18.36 when he 
went to Chicago, coming all the way by stage. In 
1839 he went to Rocliester, N. Y. where he obtained 
the first commission for buying wheat in C'hicago. 
He was employed as clerk, also book-keeper in a gen- 
eral store, but he soon engaged in business for him- 
self as ship chandler, supplying vessels for two 
years. About 1847 he became connected in the 
(4alena & Chicago Union Railroad as book-keeper 
and later was .Secretary and Treasurer of the oper- 
ating department of the same road. He staid 
with them luitil r85.5. In 1856 lie came to Ypsi- 
lanti, where he now resides. He was married, May 
16, 1854, to Miss Jcannette Spencer, who was born 
in Connecticut in 1836. She is a daughter of Nor- 
man Spencer, a native of Connecticut. Her ances- 
tors came from England in 1628. His mother came 
to iVIichigan when she was a year old and was mar- 
ried here. To the parents of our subject five chil- 
dren were born — Carrie L., (tUv C. (deceased), 
Anna H., Tracy Lay and Laura jM. (deceased). 

Tracy Lay Towner was born in Yjjsilanti, March 
2, 1864, where he was reared and educated attend- 
ing the public schools. At the age of fifteen years 
he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a printer 
in the Commercial office under Charles Moore, for 
two years. He was afterward with Mr. M. T. Wood- 
ruff on the Ypaiktntian. He then was under Capt. 
Spencer as clerk in tlie Post-oftice. In 1885 he be- 
gan the study of law under Regent Whitman, re- 
maining with him for about one year, and in 1886 
entered the University of Michigan in the law de- 
partment, graduating in 1888 with the degree of 
Bachelor of Law. He was a practicing attorney 
in Judge Ninde's olHce until he died. He and E. 
V. Allen now occupy the same ollice. June 1(1, 
1891 he was ajjpointed Circuit Court Commissioner 



by Gov. AVinans, to fill a vacancy by Frank 
Joslyn's removal. This oflice he holds until Jan- 
uary 1, 1893. He is the youngest officer in the 
county. He is local agent for six different fire in- 
surance companies. He is a member of the Royal 
Arch Masons and .lunior AVarden of Phcenix 
Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M. He is a member of 
tiie Episcopal Church and a Democrat in politics. 



I^+^I 



f 



]YI OHN LUCAS. We are pleased to give in 
this volume many sketches of our estimable 
(Tcrman American citizens, who have done 
such excellent work in helping to develop 
the various resources of Ann Arbor. Tiie one of 
whom we now write has for years been doing ex- 
cellent work as a contractor and builder in this 
city and is considered as a truly Americanized res- 
ident, although he was born in Hessen Darmstadt 
near the river Rhine, May 24, 1841. His parents 
were John and Catherine (Horn) Lucas and his 
father was a stone and brick mason and contractor 
and followed that line of work through the greater 
portion of his life. 

It was about the year 1852 that tiiis family emi- 
grated to Canada, and there settled for some j^ears. 
Upon the death of the mother John was thrown 
upon his own resources and determined to learn 
his father's trade. He took a regular apprentice- 
ship of tliree years and acquainted himself with 
all departments of the business including plaster- 
ing. Ipon the completion of his apprenticeship 
in New Hamburg, Canada, he removed to Ann 
Arbor, where he at once began working at his 
trade and soon entered upon contracting, laying 
the foundation and stone work for many of the 
principal stores and dwellings in this city. He 
has now under contract the two large buildings for 
the hospital of tlie Medical Dejiartment of the Uni- 
versity of Michigan. 

!Mr. Lucas is a pr.actical mason himself, thus se- 
curing many advantages, and is also possessed 
of good judgment and financial ability. He built 
for himself on Jefferson Street a fine residence 



626 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of raodei'ii architectural design, with beautiful sur- 
roundings. He has been twice married, his first 
union being in 1862 with Miss Eliza Rodting of 
Canada, a native of Germany, who died, leaving 
four children, three of whom are now living — 
John F., Catherine and Elizabeth. In 1872 he 
married his present wife, Miss Elizabeth Wagner, 
daughter of Daniel and Eliza (Ritz) Wagner, and 
the}' have had six children — Louie H., Edward, 
Anna, Jacob, Conrad and Otto. Mr. Lucas is a 
member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen 
and both he and his wife are devoted members of 
Ziou Lutheran Church. 






E>iTER H. SWEETLAND. Age has not 
^) laid -its dignifying hand upon our subject, 
^ but the weight and responsibility of chief 
local official of Lodi Township have been assigned 
to him, because of his peculiar fitness as a man of 
ability and rare judgment. He is an intelligent 
and entei'prising 3'oung farmer, and a native of 
this township, having been born just across the 
road from where he now lives, on the old Sweet- 
land homestead, on section 9, Lodi Township, his 
natal day having been October 22, 1855. He is a 
son of Oleton and Delilah (Holden) fSweetland, 
natives of Genesee County, N. Y. They came to 
Michigan in 1835, and were here among the earli- 
liest settlers, having cleared and improved the 
farm on which the father still lives. 

Our subject's mother was stricken with death 
about 1871, at the age of fifty-five years. Mr. 
Sweetland, Sr., is an ex-Supervisor of this town- 
ship and an able man, who has won the respect of 
all who know him. There were three children 
that were the issue of the first family. His first 
wife died, and not a great while after he again 
married, and the second marriage resulted in the 
birth of four children, all of whom are living. 

The original of our sketch acquired his educa- 
tion in its rudimentary branches in the district 
.schools of the vicinity of his home, after which he 



attended the Union School at Ann Arbor for a 
year, and on returning taught for one year in his 
home district. He remained at home until 1887, 
but prior to that had conducted the work of the 
farm for several years. In 1887 he induced Miss 
Clara Zahmto give up her life of single blessedness 
and take up the lines with him. The lady is a 
daughter of George and Elinor (Ambrooster) 
Zahm, both natives of Michigan, and both of whom 
are still living on their farm in this township. 

Politically the original of our sketch is in 
favor of Democracy and Democratic institutions. 
He cast his first vote for Gen. Hancock in 1880. 
He is generally recognized as a j'oung man of un- 
usual intelligence and ability, and has been sent as 
a delegate to county and State conventions. He 
was elected to his first office as School Inspec- 
tor and served in this capacity for three years; he 
was next elected Township Clerk and served 
four years, and then was made Supervisor of the 
township by the election of 1890, and is now serv- 
ing his second term. 

Socially Mr. Sweetland belongs to the Knights 
of the Maccabees. Himself liberal in religious 
matters, his wife is a communicant with the Ger- 
man Lutherans. Our subject is the owner of one 
hundred and sixty acres of land on sections 4 and 
5; here he raises all kinds of stock and carries on 
a profitable and extensive business in mixed farm- 
ing. His succe.ss has been so marked thus far that 
his friends expect of him extending influence and 
prominence for the future. 



■vtpS DWARD A. NORDMAN. The quickening 
t<! sun and lienign dews that have kissed the 
y'^ — --^ ripening grain throughout the country of 
this portion of the Slate, has found no more fer- 
tile tract or attractive farm than that located on 
section 11, Lima Township, and owned by the gen- 
tleman whose name is above. Although our sub- 
ject is a native of the Quaker State, he is of 
German ancestry. His father, Lewis Nordman,was 
born and reared in the Fatherland. He there mar- 



fOllTRAiT ANt) BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



62? 



ried a Miss Craps, also a native of Germany, and 
with the two sons who had been born to them in 
their native land, they set sail for America in 
1827, settling at once in Pennsylvania where the^' 
remained for six years. There the mother died, 
and after that family calamity the father and two 
sons came to Michigan. Edward remained in the 
country, while the father and brother went to De- 
troit. 

Our subject was only six years of age when the 
change was made from the East to the northern 
tier of Central Slates. He has since lived in the 
township of Lima. His father made his residence 
in New London. Wis., bis decease taking place 
there about 1857. Edward A. Nordman was born 
in Pennsylvania November 26, 1829, and on being 
brought to Washtenaw County he made liis home 
with an uncle, Gottlieb Nordman, until he had 
reached his twentieth 3'ear. 

The original of our sketch began his career as a 
business man by splitting rails. He made one 
thousand, and afterward procuring a grubbing hoe, 
was engaged in that business for two years. He 
then learned the carpenters' trade, which he fol- 
lowed for seven years, and at the end of that 
time he purchased eighty acres of land. This pur- 
chase he made in 18.56, and it is the nucleus of 
the place upon which he at present resides. Since 
the original purchase he has added one hundred 
and twenty acres, now being possessed of two 
hundred acres of fine land. This he has cleared 
for the most part, and erected a comfortable and 
commodious home and good accessory buildings. 
Our subject's marriage took place in 1862. He 
found his bride in Lima Township. She was pre- 
vioius to her marriage Irene C. (Smith) Horn. 

To this worthy couple have been born four chil- 
dren — Mary, Emily and Lottie, who are twins, and 
George W. Emily, Lottie and George have homes 
of their own and are living in the county, not far 
distant from their parents. The parents of Mrs. 
Nordman were Henry and Wealthy Smith, na- 
tives of Vermont and eai'ly settlers in Waslitennw 
County. 

Our subject began life a poor boy and lias had 
no assistance in working out his career, lie has 
now the finest property in Lima Township and is 



indebted to no one for the advantages that he en- 
J03'S. Socially our subject is not only popular be- 
cause of his genialit}^ but is respected for his 
natural advantages. He belongs to the Grangers 
and has been Master of the township Grange for 
several years. Independent in his political ideas, 
party is a secondary consideration to him, but he 
casts his vote for the man that represents his ideas 
of equity and justice to all classes of society. Our 
subject did not begin to attend school until he was 
fourteen years of age, and then only during the 
winter. He, however, received education sufficient 
to enable him to grow by himself, and in his later 
manhood he has been quite a student, and to-day 
is a well-posted man on general topics. He is in- 
dependent in his religious belief, believing that 
deeds and actions indicate true religion more 
tlian merely being a member of a religious organi- 
zation. 



-^=^m>^^<m=^^- 




If^M ICHAEL J. HOWARD. This gentleman 
who has occupied various positions of 
trust in Superior Townshij), was born in 
Webster Township in 1841. His father, 
Michael J. Sr.,and liis mother, Mar_\ Condon, were 
both natives of Ii-eland, the father having been 
born in County Cork in 1805, and having come 
to Vermont in 1829, where he engaged in farming 
until 1831, when he came to Washtenaw Count}- 
where he lived until the time of his death which 
took place in 1885. He married Mrs. Mary Cull- 
inan in 1835. .She was a daughter of John Con- 
don, and was born in the same county- as her 
husb.and. After coming to thiscount}- she resided 
for some time in New York and then married .John 
Cullinan and had one son, Timothy, but both he 
and his father died many j'ears ago. 

Lnto the parents of our subject were born seven 
children, the brothers and sisters of our subject 
being John, who resides in Seattle, Wash., Edward, 
Martin, Katie, Mary and James W. He of whom 
we write had his training and education upon the 
farm in the common schools of the countv and was 



628 



i'ORTRAIT ANi) BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



married in 1876 to Miss Julia A. Gibney, an estim- 
able Christian lady. She was a daughter of Peter 
Gibney, a resident of Washtenaw County, and she 
passed from earth in .January, 1886, leaving a 
family of three daughters, Agnes C, Mary .J. and 
Alma. 

Mr. Howard . located in Superior Township in 
May, 1881, and bought the farm where he now re- 
sides. Since 1888 he has continuously served either 
as Supervisor or Highwa}- Commissioner, and from 
1884 to 1886 he was Justice of the Peace. He is a 
stanch Democrat in his political views and a de- 
voted member of the Roman Catholic Church. 



^I'AMES L. BABCOCK, the subject of this 
sketch, whose enterprise has already' made 
him a man of note in Ann Aibor, was born 
^ in Goshen, Mass., in February, 1845. His 
father was Leland A. Babcock and his mother 
Elizabeth James. She also was born in Goshen, 
and her father, John James, was descended from 
ancestors who came over with the Pilgrim Fathers 
and settled near Plymouth, being connected by 
family ties with Miles Standish. The grandfather 
on the father's side, Amos BaVicock, was born in 
Hartford, Conn., where he permanently settled and 
reared a numerous family. 

In Northampton, Mass., our subject first attended 
the common schools and afterward an academy 
previous to entering Amherst College. On leaving 
college he came West and embarked in the mercan- 
tile business on Lake Street, Chicago, continuing 
there until the great fire in 1871, which led him to 
close out his business and bring his capital and en- 
terprise to Ann Arbor. Here he invested in bonds 
and mortgages, loaning money and buying and 
selling paper. During the winters he spends much 
of his time in the South and in the summers trav- 
eling in the East and West for health and pleasure. 
He has recently purch.ised the elegant residence of 
Dr. Wells, N. Division Street, for whith he p.iid 
some $10,000. This home issurrounded by extensive 



and beautiful grounds, richly adorned with flowers 
and ornamental trees, and situated in the most de- 
lightful portion of the city of Ann Arbor. It is 
presided over liy the mother of .James L. Babcock, 
a well preserved, intelligent and sprightly lady 
and a .'^ister of the late Luther J.ames of this 
city. 

Mr. Babcock is a nephew of the late Luther 
James, who at his death, left his genial and favor- 
ite relative ¥100,000 and made a provision in his 
will that this amount should be doubled if Mr. 
Babcock took to himself a wife during the next 
five years, but even this handsome inducement has 
failed thus far to make our subject discontented 
with the reign of his good mother over his house- 
hold, and he .still remains in single blessediiess. 
Mr. James took an earnest interest in all matters 
which concerned the welfare of Ann Arbor and 
itVas he who donated the ?il.(MiO clock in the 
courthouse. 

The political views of Mr. Babcock have brought 
him into athliation with the I^eiiublican party and 
he is an earnest upholder of its priiiciples and pol- 
icy. 



EORGE :McDOUGALL. This well-known 
(— . farmer and stock- raiser was born in Ypsi- 
lanti in 1841 and is the sixth in age in a 
family of eight children who were bom to George 
and Mary (Muir) McDougall, both of whom were 
born in Ayreshire, Scotland. There they grew to 
maturity in their native home, and although they 
were known to each other from children they were 
not married until after coming to Michigan. Mr. 
McDougall came in the company of his wife's 
family and they were married during that year, 
which was in 1828. After locating in Ypsilantihe 
followed his trade, which was that of a miller, until 
about the year 1852 when he engaged in farming 
in Superior Township. He was bereaved of his 
faithful wife in 1879 and did not tarry long be- 
hind her, as he too was called from the activities 
of life in 1882. 

The children of this worthy couple were Eliza- 



G 



tOfetRAIT AND BtOGRAPHiCAL ALBUM. 



629 



beth, Andrew M., Marv A.. William, EiinTia, our 
subject, John A. and Henry C. The first five have 
been called from earth; John resides in Superior 
Township, and the Rev. Henry C. MeDougall, a 
Unitarian minister, makes his home in Rockland, 
Mass. The father of our subject was born No- 
vember 22, 1801, and was a son of William ^le- 
Dougall, a native of Kilmarnock, Scotland. He 
had a family of five sous and one daughter, none 
of whom left the old country except the father of 
our subject. This grandfather was also a miller 
and followed that occupation throughout his life. 
He of whom we write was in 1870 united in the 
holy bonds of matrimony with Sarah E. Ferguson, 
daughter of Alpha J. Ferguson a native of Ken- 
tucky. To this worthy couple have been born 
four children — Anna E., George F., Andrew H. and 
Sarah E. In political matters our subject is an 
uncorapronusing Democrat and is absolutely in 
favor of free trade. In 1889 Mr. MeDougall served 
as Secretary of the County Board of School Exam- 
iners, which ofHce he filled throughout that year. 
In 1882-83 he was elected Supervisor of Superior 
Township, a position to which he was elected on 
the Republican ticket, which fact shows his person-il 
popularity and the confidence whicli his neighbors 
had in him irrespective of party ideas. 



ixEWTON E. CRITTENDEN. Noteworthy 
7/ among the leading agriculturists and stock- 
^, raisers of Washtenaw County and one of 
the most prominent citizens of Ypsilanti Township, 
is the gentleman whose name we now give. He is 
a native of the Wolverine State, having been born 
in this count}' February 30, 1838. His parents 
were lioth New Yorkers, his father, Allen Critten- 
den, having emigrated in the early days with his 
wife, Emily (Reed) Crittenden, and his family, 
from New York. They settled in Fittslield Town- 
ship, this county, in the unbroken forest, upon land 
now owned by one of his sons. Upon this farm, 
which he obtained from the Government, he lived 
until his death. April 10, 1866. 



Mr. Crittenden had been twice married, and l>y 
the mother of our subject (who died two years 
previous to his decease) he had a large familv of 
children, of whom the following survive: Harriet, 
Mason H., Silas, Newton E., Samuel, Ida, N.ash and 
Dwight. The eldest daughter, Harriet, l)ecame the 
wife of William Lowden, of whom a biographical 
sketch will be found in this Ai-ium; the younger 
is unmarried. For seventeen years Allen Critten- 
den served as Supervisor of Pittsfield Township 
and his meinor}- is revered as one of the most worthy 
and earliest of the pioneers of this townshi]). He 
served as Deacon in the Presbyterian Church and 
was very useful in religious work. 

Th3 boyhood of our subject was passed in this 
county and he has vivid recollections of the trials, 
privations and enjoyments of pioneer times. Hard 
work was a part of the daily routine and felling trees 
became a part of the 3'oung man's regular work. 
His preliminary education was provided for in the 
district schools of Wheatfield Township and he 
afterward attended for two years the Ypsilanti 
Seminary, and taught the winter term of school 
for two years, one in Yjjsilanti .and one in Pitts- 
field. Most of his life-work, however, has been in 
carrying on farming. 

Emily Tripp was the maiden name of the young 
woman who was joined in marriage with our sub- 
ject March 19, 1861. She w.as born in Lenawee 
County, Mich., and is a daughter of the Rev. 
J\[r. Tripp, a pioneer Baptist minister of that 
county. Three of the four children of this couple 
are now living: Eloise, wife of Charles Lowe; 
Aiuie and Allie. The settlement on this present 
farm was made in 1859, and it comprises two hun- 
dred and thirty acres in Ypsilanti Township, and 
he has twenty acres in Augusta Township. All of 
this fine property has been gained through the 
industry of our su iject and his worthy wife, and 
they have found time amidst their labors to aid in 
many w.ays all efforts to elevate the social condi- 
tions of the township. They are both members of 
the Presliyterian Church and active in its work. 

Mr. Crittenden raises graded Merino sheep and 
thoroughbred horses and takes much pride in these 
fine animals. He is an intelligent and broad-minded 
man and keeps himself infoiined in legard to pub- 



630 



Portrait aistd BioGRApmcAt album. 



lie affairs. He has strong faith in the political doc- 
trines of the party which supported the adminis- 
tration during tiie Civil War and believes that 
with them is the true essence of political wisdom. 
He is identified with the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen at Ypsilanti and is active in its work. 



jU-, ON. PH:NRY p. C4L0^■ER, Mayor of Ypsi- 
[Tj) lanti, was born in Ontario County, N. Y., 
IW^ March 3, 1837, and is the son of Charles 
^^ W. and Mary A. (Powers) Glover. The 
father, a native of Conway, Mass., accompanied his 
parents to Phelps, N. Y., when he was six years old, 
that being about the year 1797. The grandfather 
became a pioneer in that section of the country 
.and was ever afterward identified with its interests 
until called hence by death. In that count}-, On- 
tario, Charles W. Glover grew to maturity -ind was 
married to Miss Powers. 

Until about 1837 the father of our subject re- 
mained a resident of Webster, N. Y'., and followed 
the occupation of farming. At that time, when our 
subject was a babe, the family removed to Michigan, 
coming overland b}- wagon through Ohio, and 
arriving in the township of Ypsilanti, located three 
miles from the present city of that name. The 
father had come hither about two years prior to 
bringing his family here and had purchased land. 
This he proceeded to cultivate and redeem from 
the wilderness, and it remained his home until a 
few years before his death, when he came to live 
with our subject. A prominent citizen of this 
community, he was for sevenil years Township 
Clerk, and held other minor olHces within the gift 
of the people. When his death occurred, in May, 
186(j, it was felt to be a severe loss not only by the 
members of the Presbyterian Church, to wiiich he 
belonged, but was sincerely mourned by those pio- 
neers who survived him and the younger residents 
of the county, who felt that to him they were in- 
debted for many of the advantages which they 
enjoyed. 

Oiir suliject was one of four children, the others 



being Sarah, now Mrs. A. C. Blodgett of Detroit; 
Caroline, who resides in Detroit; and Aristeen, who 
is now teaching in Duluth, Minn. During his 
childhood Mr. Glover attended the schooLs in the 
neighborhood of his home, but at an earlj' age was 
compelled to make his own way in the world. 
Thrown upon his own resources at the age of fifteen, 
he entered the dry-goods stoie of Hewett Bros. cVr 
Co., and remained with them until he was twenty- 
six years of age, in 1886. Having gained a thorough 
knowledge of the business b}^ experience and hav- 
ing also carefully saved his earnings he was enabled 
to go into business for himself, which he did at tlie 
above-mentioned date. 

After having been engaged as a merchant and 
clerk here for nearly thirty-six years Mr. Glover 
sold out his business in November, 1888. He was 
still too young to retire from life's active duties, 
nor was long continued rest pleasant to him. He 
assisted in organizing the Dress Staj' Manufacturing 
Company and furnished capital for a new patent. 
This is a corporate institution with a paid up cap- 
ital of 8200,000, and with Mr. Glover as President 
and Fred C. Andrews as Secretary, Treasurer and 
General Manager, has become well known as one 
of the solid organizations of Ypsilanti. Besides 
this, Mr. Glover is interested in another important 
enterprise, the Scharf Tag Label and Box Companj-, 
which was incorporated for *40, 000 with *3.i,000 
paid in. The officers of this company are H. P. 
Glover, President, G. H. Scharf, Vice-President, 
and Fred C. Andrews, Secretary and Treasurer. 
They are engaged in the manufacture of tag labels 
and paper boxes of all kinds, and carry on an ex- 
tensive and lucrative business both wholesale and 
retail. 

The fine structure occupied b}- the Dress Stay 
Manufacturing Company is owned by Mr. Glover, 
who also erected the building located on Pearl, be- 
tween Washington and Huron Streets, and used as 
the office and factory of the Tag Label and Box 
Company. Among all tiie elegant structures of 
which Ypsilanti is justly proud, this building is uni- 
versally conceded to be the finest and in the success 
of the incorporators the people feel justly proud. 
Thecompany gives employment to nearly two hun- 
dred and fifty people and has a pay roll amounting 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



031 



each week to between $1,200 and $1,300. In this 
way steady employment is furnished to a hirije 
number of people and tlie result is highly bcnelicial 
to the city, (ioods manufactured here are sold all 
over the rnited States, and the company have 
uained a reputation as reliable, honest and enter- 
prising business men. The business, which is the 
hu'i^est in this part of the country outside of Detroit, 
amounts to about *500,000 per year, and has grown 
to its present scope since Janaury, 1H85. 

Ipon tiie inception of the Ann Arbor A Ypsilanti 
Motor I>ine of Railway duringthe summer of 1890, 
oui' subject became interested in the movement and 
was Vice-President at the time the road was built, 
in order to harmonize the two towns, Mr. Beal of 
Ann Arlior was made President, wliile Mr. Glover, 
who owns the controlling interest of the stock, is 
the general otticcr located in Ypsilanti. The road 
runs from the corner of Congress and AVashington 
Streets, in Ypsilanti, to tlie old city limits of Ann 
Arbor, where it connects with the electric railway, 
covering eiglit miles. Its large passenger tratlie 
averages one thousand or more each day, wliich 
proves tliat the road is a great convenience to the 
citizens of the two towns. The company was or- 
ganized with a capital stock of $100,000 and has 
been a source of financial prosperity to tlie cities of 
Ann Arbcn- and Ypsilanti. 

Mr. Glover is President of the Ann Arbor Elec- 
tric Railway Company, owning large interests in 
the stock, which will permanently harmonize the 
two towns. The banking interests of Y'psilanti 
also received his cordial support, and he is now- 
serving as Director in the First National and also 
ill the Savings Bank. During the construction of 
the waterworks he served as Water Commissioner, 
and. as above stated, is the present Mayor of Y'psi- 
lanti. During his absence in the State of W.ash- 
ington, attending to his sawmill interests, he was 
elected Mayor. Had he been at home lie would 
hsivc declined, as any public office is distasteful to 
liim. Notwithstanding his reluctance to accept 
the position, he serves the people with efficiency 
and is materially advancing the interests of his 
adopted city- 

In real estate .Mr. (Mover is consideralily inter- 
ested and owns and oc<-upies-a lovely home on South 



Huron Street in this city. Besides this he has lands 
in Dakota and other places. His mill in Washing- 
ton is very large, and is located at Whatcom, on 
Piiget Sound. On the subject of public health Mr. 
Glover is an enthusiast and has for years been par- 
ticularly interested in the sewerage question. From 
his i)rivate purse he had plans prepared for provid- 
ing the city with sewers, paying liiiOO for the same 
and presenting them to the city. A member of the 
Presbyterian Church, he is serving that organi- 
zation as Trustee, and is ever ready to give of his 
means to benevolent and charitable purposes. He 
is sole owner of the Washtenaw Evening Times, a 
daily paper published at Ann Arbor in the interest 
of the Twin Cities. 

In all his labors Mr. Glover has received the 
assistance of his wife, a lady of refinement and 
many graces of character. Nancy J. Kishlar, as she 
w.as known in maidenhood, was born in Monroe 
County, N. Y., and she is the daughter of John 
and Nancy J. (Lowden) Kishlar. She grew to 
womanhood under the parental roof and was mar- 
ried in Rockford, 111., in April. 1860. Her union 
with Mr. Glover has been blessed by the birth of 
three children, as follows: Hal W., who is engaged 
in business as a wholesale druggist in Detroit; 
Kate, wife of L. L. Brooks of Bosttm; and Charles 
W. who is still at home. 



AHCUS T. WOODRUFF, publisher of the 
Y'psilanti Sfntittel, was born in Y'psilanti, 
August 13, 1853, and is the son of Hon. 
-* Charles Woodruff, of whom see a sketch on 

another page of this volume. The education of 
onr subject was received at the old Union Seminary, 
from which he was graduated in 1870, at the age 
of .seventeen. Immediately after completing his 
.schooling he entered the office of the Sentinel, 
where he continued as an employe until he reached 
his majority. He was then taken into partnership, 
the firm name being C. Woodruff it Son, and the 
two, father and son, worked together until Octo- 
ber 1, 1879. when the partnership was dissolved. 



(>a2 



l'( (RTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBU.M. 



JauuiHv 1, 1880. our subject establislied the Ypsi- 
Uiiitkiiu wliioli he ninuagerlas editor and proprietor 
until March. 188;j. makino; it one of the most suc- 
cessful and popular papers of tlie county. He 
establislied it as an independent paper, and by 
cai'eful attention to the details of business and un- 
remitting energy he increased tlic circulation and 
enlarged the influence of his journal. He posses.ses 
those cliaracteristics which invarial)ly mark the 
successful journalist — genial manners, tact and 
energy, and during the five years in wliich he con- 
tinued at the helm of the Ypfiihinfirui he gave it a 
solid reputation which it still retains. He fluallj* 
.sold out to Smithe Ar Powers, and jiroceedcd to 
Cadillac to purchase the Timea. 

After changing the name of this p.-i[)er to the 
MifhU/aii Staff Democmt. he edited and published 
it personally until August, 1889, soon after which 
he came to this city. However, he still owns, man- 
ages and publishes this journal, and under his able 
leadership has given it a prominent place among 
the leading papers of the State. He became inter- 
ested in the Sentinel November 1. 1889, at that 
time entering the firm as a member of the Sentinel 
Publishing Company, which is composed of himself 
and his father. .June 1, 1891, he leased tlie ottice, 
retaining his father as editor. The tientinel is 
the oldest paper in the county, having been 
established herein 181,3. by Gen. John A'an Fo.ssen 
as the representative of the Whig ))arty. The year 
after it was established it was purchased by Charles 
AVoodruff and has been owned and ])iil)lishc(l by 
him for nearly a half-century. 

November 7. 1878. Mr. Woodruff and Miss Eva 
Bowlb}- were united in marriage, the bride at 
that time residing in Ovid. Clinton County, iMich., 
where she had received a good education in the 
High School. I'nder the careful training of her esti- 
mable parent*, Jacob ]M. and Charlotte (Halstead) 
Howlby. she was reared tt) a noV)le womanhood, 
fitted to guard well the interests of those nearest 
to her. Her refinement wins her friends in every 
social circle, and in the Episcopal Church which 
.she and Mr. Woodruff attend they are highly es- 
teemed. The only sorrow which has come to their 
wedded life was the death, in 1889, of their only 
child, a briuht little ii\\\ in the fourth \ear of her 



age. Socially the subject of this sketch is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraiernity. but the duties of his 
calling are such as to allow him little time for out- 
side work. 



"S^LIJAH P.. NEWII.MJ.. conductor on the 
||U] Ypsilanti Iiranch of the Lake Shore it 
I* — ^ ^Hchigan Southern Railroad, was born in 
Port Huron. Mich.. September 20. 1840, being the 
son of Clarke W. Newhall. a Vermonter by birth, 
who came here when a bo.y with his father, Ben- 
jamin, who had been a Vermont farmer. The 
grandfather was an early settler on River St. Clair 
at Aligon.'Ls. .and there he followed farming until 
in liis later years when he retired fiom active life 
and at the .age of seventy-five died at the home of 
his .son Clarke. This is an old Ea.stern family of 
English descent and well-known in mi.ssionary 
circles of the Baptist Church. 

Clarke W. Newhall began the life of a sailor 
when a boy of twelve 3'ears, rising from the posi- 
tion of a cabin lioy to that of a eai)tain b3- the 
time he had reached his majority. He sailed some 
of the first vessels that were put upon the lakes be- 
tween Buffalo and Chicago and later owned 
schooners, the schooner "Freeman" which was lost 
in the Niagara River in May, 1861, being his. It 
struck a reef on a dark foggv night and all on 
board were lost but the father of our subject and 
one man at the foremast, and they were picked uji 
in the morning almost frozen to death. One of 
his older sons was drowned .and his body went over 
the falls and was found two weeks later without 
a blemish to show that he had met with any acci- 
dent. After this sad disaster the fatJier retired 
from the life of a captain as he had not the heart 
to go .again upon the water. He located at Detroit 
and engaged in the business of a .ship broker and 
was harbor m.aster for several years, being the first 
one api)ointed by the Board of Trade, and finally 
died in Ypsilanti in 1877 at the age of sixty-five 
years. In his political views be was an active 
Democrat. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPfflCAL ALBUM. 



633 



The mother of Mr. >i'i'wh;ill was in lier iiiauU'ii- 
liood known as Eliza liiircli. and she was Imuii in 
Montreal. Canada. Her fatlier, Elijah ISiuch. wjis 
l)oru in \'erniont and ens>aged in the luiiil)er busi- 
ness in Montreal, afterward locating at I'ort Hnron 
where he carried on a hotel, thus beinsj one of the 
old original hotel men of that eity. lie built the 
old American House wiiich still stands, and he is 
now eighty-four years of age. The mother resides 
in Ypsilanti on Washington Street with her son- 
in-law C. D. Willcoxson. Uf her four children three 
grew to maturity. The eldest, S. .\., was, as we 
have said, drowned at the age of twenty-three and 
Carrie F. is now Mrs. Willcoxson at Ypsilanti. 

Mr. XewhiiU was liorn and educated in Port 
Huron, the old American House being his liirtli- 
plaee. and there he attended the common school 
and afterward went to Detroit during the winters 
to stud}-. At the age of fifteen he began sailing 
the lakes with his father, beginniug as a cabin boy 
and became successively the man at the foremast, 
second mate, mate, and then master. Like his 
father he reached this point at the age of twenty- 
one,hisfirst vessel being the '■(iulielma," belonging 
to Bars A' Warner, of Detroit, and he later com- 
manded the "Marc.y Brown" for Ed Kantel for 
two years, after which lie took charge of a steamer 
for J. L. Ilurd ct Co., of Detroit. He was master 
of a propeller for them for two years and then for 
three years was iu the liarge business and sailed 
with the propeller ''Neiitune" towing other barges. 
but in the fall of i «73 he left the lakes. 

The eighteen years which Capt. Xewhall spent 
upon the lakes were in every sense successful ones, 
as he never had a wreck and was always able to 
bring in his cargo and crew in good condition. 
He is what may well be called -'an old salt." al- 
though he never saw salt seas, for he loves the 
water and is never happier than when afloat. His 
roving life unfitted him for settling into any c[uiet 
avocation, and in 1873 he entered the employ of 
the Michigan Central Railroad, becoming yard mas- 
ter, and two years later undertook the charge of a 
train between the city and the junction. In IHTH 
he was transferred to the C'hicago and f/ike Huron 
Road, having his run from Port Huron to \alpar- 
aiso on a freight train, and in 1878 he came to 



Tpsilaiili and there took charge of a passenger 
train on Vhe Detroit, Hillsdale tV- Southwestern 
Railroad running from Ypsilanti to Hankers. When 
the Michigan Southern Road bought this branch 
in \XX\ this popular conductor went into their 
emplo\. His lun is one of sixty-one miles and he 
doubles the trip every day. 

The mai-riage of Capt. Newhall in l><(i(; united 
him with Miss Frances A. Rhodes, a daughter of 
Robert Rhodes, of Berlin, N. Y., who farmed for 
several years in New York where this daughter wa.s 
born. Mr. Newhall has considerable interest in 
Detroit real -estate and in his political views is con- 
nected with the Democratic party. He attends 
and suj)ports the Presbyterian Church and is con- 
nected with a number of social orders of Ypsilanti, 
namely the Free and Accepted Masons, Excelsior 
Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, and the Union 
Council. 



I^+^I 



IHEIP J5ACH is the senior member of the 
popular and w'ell-known firm of Mach, 
Abel ct Co., dealers in dry-goods, cloaks, 
notions, etc., and located in Ann Arbor. 
Mr. Bach was born in Baden, Germany. March 2(1, 
1820. He was the second in ordei- of birth of 
twelve children born to Philip J. and Barbara 
(Dick) 15ach. His parents emigrated to America in 
1829 and located first at Ea.ston, Pa., in Northamp- 
ton Count}- and in a few years — in 1835 — they re- 
moved to Michigan which was then a Territory, 
locating first at Ann Arbor, but shortly after re- 
moved to Freedom Township, locating on a farm 
where they carried on general fanning in a small 
way. The father died in 18(ir).the mother iiaving 
passed away in 1861. 

Our subject, Philip Hacli, after lieing reared on 
the f.-irni until ivaching young manhood, settled 
in .\nn .\rl)or and Ijecame a clerk for the firm of 
Hrowii iV Co., merchants, witli whom he remained 
foi' twelve months. He was afterward with E. 
Root (V Sons, and in |83!( formed a partnershii) 
with Ml'. Abel, and in 1843 in the fall seasoii 



634 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM, 



entered the employ of C. B. Tliompson. Tliis 
partneiship lasted from 1843 to 1 «.">♦{, at which 
latter date Mr. Bach sold <mt and went into busi- 
ness with Feasor & Hewitt. He later entered into 
partnership with Mr. Al)el which continued until 
the death of the latter in 1890, and at that time a 
])art of his interests were purchased by Zachariali 
Roath, when the firm became that of Bach, Al>el 
.t Co. 

The lirm carry a very tine stock of well-selected 
dry-goods, cloaks and notions and do a good busi- 
ness. Mr. Bach was first married to Hannali Polhe- 
mus by whom he had one child, now Mrs. Hannah 
.1. AVarner, of the city of Mexico. Mr. Bach was a 
second time married in 185;') to Miss Nancy Koyce. 
By her he had four children, they being James K., 
Philip Jr., a merchant in New Mexico, Mary L., the 
widow of Wm. R. Henderson, residing at liome, 
and Rudolph (i., deceased. In 1876 Mr. Bach was 
again married, this time to Annie Botsford, to 
whom two children have been born — Nellie and 
Waldo B. He was elected Mayor in 18.58 and 
served one term. In 1857 he was elected as a 
member of the School Board and served for nearly 
thirty-four years. He is A'ice President and Direc- 
tor of the First National Bank of Ann Arbor and 
has" l)een connected with it since its organization, 
having also held the office of President. He is at 
present Director of the Detroit Fire and Marine 
Insurance Comj)auy and has been so connected 
since its organization in 1866. During the years 
which have passed and which have domtmstraled 
its success, it has proved to be one of the solid in- 
stitutions of the State of Michigan. 



^^ AJIUEL W. BEAKES, editor and pr(lj)ric- 
'V«i^ tor of the Ann jVrbor An/us, was bom in 
v/lJ Burlingham, Sullivan County, N. Y., Jan- 
uary 11, 1861. He is a son of Dr. George 
M. Heakes, now a member of the New York Legis- 
latiu-e from Sullivan, representing the Democratic 
party, and recognized as an aViIe physician of that 



section of the State. During the war he served as 
surgeon in the First New York Cavalry, and One 
Hundred and Thirt3--first New York Infantry. 
Tiie ancestors of our subject settled in New Jersey 
early in the seventeenth century, on the grand- 
mother's side. The Whitter family came over in 
the "Ma^yttower." 

S. W. Beakes received his rudimentary educa- 
tion in the district schools of his native county, 
and for one year attended the Walkill Academy at 
Middletown, N. Y. In the fall of 1878 he entered 
the Literary Department of Michigan Univer.sity, 
which he attended for two years, leaving to take 
charge of a drug st<jre at Blooniburgli, N. Y. Af- 
ter a year's absence, he entered the Law Dei)art- 
ment of Michigan I'niversity, graduating in the 
sjn'ing of 1883. During the last year of his law 
course, he was in the private office of Judge Thomas 
M. Cooley. 

After graduation Mr. Beakes went to Weslville, 
( )hio, and engaged in the practice of law. While 
thus occupied, he came into possession of the West- 
ville Meview. His success with that papei' made 
him determine to follow the news[mper business. 
In the fall of 1884 lie sold the i?eiv>»' and removed 
to Adrian, IMicli., where he purchased the Adrian 
Ecening Record, which he c^mducted for two years. 
In June. 1886, he removed to Ann Arbor. Here lie 
bought the Arrjun, and has increased the circulation 
from seven hundred to two thousand. The Aiyua 
is one of the oldest papers in the State, having 
been started while the State was yet a Territory-. 
It has witnessed the growth of Ann Arbor from 
small beginnings, and is now regarded as the new- 
siest paper in the county. It has a strong hold on 
the good will of the farmers of the county. In 
politics the Argx(s is Democratic, and h.isdone yen- 
man service for its party. 

Samuel AV. Beakes was married July 7. 1886. to 
Annie S. Beakes, daughter of the late Judge Hir.am 
.1. Beakes. of Ann Arbor. In 1888 Mr. Beakes was 
elected Mayor of Ann Arbor, turning an opposition 
majority of two hundred and twenty-five into a 
majority of two hundred and sixty-three. He was 
re-elected the following year by a large majority. 
He took a prominent part in revising and securing 
the p.issage of the present city charter, and during 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ti3o 



m 



his term many public irapruvemeuts were made. 
For several v^rs he was Chairman of tlie Deiiui- 
cratic City Committee, and was api)oint('(l Trejis- 
\irer of the city in the sprint;' of ISill. 



^il-^"i^il^#i€ 



Vf AMKS i;. I,L\J)SEY is au intelligent fanner 
who keeps abreast of the times in the im- 
provements and progress made in his call- 
ing. Although a self-made man, he is well 
informed on the cm rent topics of the day and eon- 
verses with intelligeuce and judgment on leading 
suljjects. Mr. Undsej' is a native of this county 
and has experienced the hardships of pioneer life. 
He was born on the farm where he still lives, Oc- 
tober 24, 1834, and is a son of Samuel Lindsey, 
wlio is a native of Ireland, having come to 
America, while still a J'oung man, in 181(5. He left 
Belfast, Ireland, April 1, 1816, and landed in New 
York, June 1, being two months in cro.ssing 
the ocean. He at once began work in the shi|)- 
yards of Is'ew York, his special lirauch of woik 
being whip-sawing. 

Samuel Lindse.v next went to Long Island where 
he worked for two years as a gardener, lie had 
learned the cari)enter's trade in Ireland but never 
used his knowledge iu tliis countrv to any extent. 
After leaving Long Island he went to AVestern 
New Y'ork in the township of Groveland, Living- 
■ston County and while there he and a brother pur- 
chased a one hundred-acre farm and proceeded to 
improve this, living upon it for several years. In 
183.3 our subject's father came to Michigan and 
took up one hundred and sixty acres on section 32, 
Saline Township. The original |deed. which is in 
the possession of the famil}', was signed by iVndrew 
Jackson. At the s.ame time he bought eighth' acres 
just across the line in Lenawee County. Having 
thus provided a home for tlie future he returned 
to New York to secure for his wife a young lady 
witli whom he had a previous acquaintance. 

Our subject's mother was before her marriage 
Miss Rachel Beatj', like her husband, a native of 
Ireland, and she came to America when quite young, 



in the winter of lH.i4. After their marriage the 
young couple at once came to their new home in 
Michigan, where he had built a log cabin that was 
to serve as their first home. Not a stick of timber 
h.ad been cut for .several miles around at that time 
and no ro.ads had been laid out with tlie excei)tion 
of the Chicago Turnpike, which ran tiirough the 
township. All kinds of wild game abounded and 
were easily shot. The little cabin was without 
doors or windows for a time, and the wolves com- 
ing close around the house, whose only barricade 
was a bed quilt, set up a hungry howl which must 
have been a dreary welcome for the young bride. 

Our subject's father cleared and improved nearly 
all his land and was a hard worker. His death 
occiwred March 27. 18;')6, at the age of sixty-eight 
years. While in his native country an adherent of 
the Presbyterian Church, after coming to this 
country he did not connect himself with any re- 
ligious body. He was a prominent Mason in Ire- 
land but did not continue his membership after 
coming here. Ovir sulijeet's mother died m 1880. 
on the 12lli of Felniuuy. at the age of seventy-three 
years. 

.laincs 11. Lindsey was one of four chililreii liuni 
to his parents. Three lived to ni.alnrity and 
two are now living, our subject being tiie eldest of 
liis family. He was born in the log caliin built by 
his father. His educational advantages were 
nece.ssarily limited, and his knowledge of the ele- 
mentary Ijranches was gained in the little log 
schoolhouse where the children were .seated upon 
slab benches, without desks. As soon as old enougli 
he took ]>nrt in the farm work, learned to run a 
straight finniw in a plow, pick up brusli and 
burn and grub out stunqis. For eleven yeais lie 
worked on the farm after his fallnrV death .-uid 
did not begin farming for himself until 18(J8. Onr 
subject h.as alw.ays lived on the old homestead. 
His marriage took place .Vpril 3, 1884, his bride 
being Miss .\nnie Snauble. who was born in Ger- 
many and was brought by her parents to this 
country at the age of four years. lH)ur children 
have increased the family circle. Their names are 
Samuel E., James E., Mary E. and Lewis Earl. 

Politically our subject is a Democrat. His first 
vote was cast for James Buchanan. He has held 



w 



636 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



various school ollices in tlif towiisliii) and has 
served upon the (iiand .Inn. ^Irs. Liudsey is a 
member of tlie Baptist Cliureh and an active 
worker. Our subject owns one liundred and 
thirty-two acres of land, which was purchased by 
iiis father from the (iovernment and since tiiat 
time it has never changed hands nor been out of 
the familv, nor has it ever been mortgaged. 
Devoting himself to general farming, the original 
of our sketch makes a specialty of stock-raising, of 
which he lias all kinds, ^h: Lindsey is eminently 
a self-made man. ^'aturally studious he lias been 
a great reader and is well informed on all current 
t.oi)i&s. Our subject's fatlier was largely instru- 
mental in organizing this school district. The fir.st 
meeting was held in 1837 and the second was held 
in his log iiouse. He iiimself did the most of the 
work on the new schoolhouse, finishing the inner 
woodwork, making tiie benches, desks, floors, etc., 
and in fact doing all the carpenter work. 



i>^^^m^~^- 



\|p^/RA>;C'IS ('. MOKI.VKTY. The ottice of 
!|M®) '^''i* gentleman, which is frequented by a 
/il good class of patrons, is located in tlie new 

bank building at the corner of Congress and Hu- 
ron Streets. He lias been in business here for the 
past three years, and during tiiat time has hail a 
flattering degree of success. 

ilr. Moriarty was born in Cayuga County. 
N. Y.. .lune 13, 18()2. He is a son of John and 
Catherine Moriarty. His father was originally a 
railroad man, but for the past thirty years lias de- 
voted himself to farming, and it w.as to rural life 
and occupations to which our subject was reared, 
his home having been in l.cnawec County, this 
State. His parents came to Michigan wlicu the 
child was I)Ut ten montlis old. They still live on 
the old place. 

.\fter finishing his High School course at Hud- 
son, 3'oung Francis taught for some time. He then 
went to Vacaville, Cal., where he was in the employ 
of E. \V. Oibbs. a large fruit shipper. On his 
return from California lie entered the rniversity 



of Michigan and was graduated from the law de- 
partment in 1887, taking the degree of LL. B. He 
then located for a short time each at Adrian. Ca- 
dillac and Morenci, locating in Ypsilanti in 1888. 
The following year he wa.s elected City Attorney 
and filling that olHce most satisfactorily to the 
peo|)le, he was elected the following spring iu> City 
Clerk and Clerk of the Board of Water Commis- 
sioners, and the Council being a political tie last 
spring, the officers gave his place to another, he 
lieing a devoted Republican. 

Socially he is President of a local division of the 
Ancient Order of Hibernians and is a member of 
the Fraternal Mystic Circle of the Catholic Church. 
Mr. Moriarty was married to Miss Lucy Barnes, 
of Ann Arbor, September 17. 1889. Her father. 
John Barnes, had died some years previously, 
while her mother still lives at Ann Arbor. Mr. 
and Mrs. Moriarty are the happy parents of one 
child, whose name is Francis Leo. aud who was 
born June 20, 18!)U. Our subject has made a fine 
reputation for himself in his profession and also 
does well in his insurance business which he con- 
ducts ill connection with his other work. He an- 
ticipates soon going West to locate permanently, 
and many vvill regret the lo.ss of so promising a 
vouii<>- man to the communitv. 



ILLIA.M (^. DIKTKKLE. Tiie large furni- 
ture .'iiid undertaking establishment of 
which our subject is proprietor, is located 
in the cit)- of .\nn Arbor, and here may be found 
the most skilled products from the hands of the 
best workmen. In spite of his name, which pro- 
claims him to Ije of Teutonic origin, our subject 
was born in Cirand Rapids, Mich., September 23, 
1866. He is the second son of .Vdani and Chris- 
tina (Meier) Dieterle, ln)tli of whom are natives of 
Germany. 

Our subject's parents came to the United States 
from their native land in 1846 and located at 
Grand IJapids. The father was a cooper by trade, 



PORTRAIT AND nioGRAPIIlCAL ALBUM. 



637 



which he followed as long as he was in the above 
named city. When our subject was three yea''* old 
his parents removed to Ann Arbor, where Iheyoulli 
was educated in the common .schools of the cily. 
After finishiug his educational course he was ap- 
prenticed to John Keck iVr Co., cabinet-makers. Me 
remained with them for two years, and then re- 
turned to his native place wliere he entered the 
employ of Burkcy iV: (T.ny, manufacturers of furni- 
ture. He remained witii them for eighteen months 
and at the expiration of that time returned to Anji 
Arbor, and was again in the employ of the gentle- 
7nan with whom he learned his trade. 

After remaining two years with Alessrs. Keck iV- 
Co., Mr. Dieterle, wlio had been able to accumulate 
some capital by his prudent wavs and ind»istr\-. 
went to !i[anchester, AVashtenaw County, where he 
purch.ased a stock of furniture .nnd omb.irked in 
business on his own account. After reninininu 
tliere for four years, during whicli time lie piii- 
chased the outfit of two other furniture establish- 
ments, he sold out his entire business and went to 
Detroit, where he again entered the employ of liis 
old emploj'er, Mr. Keck, who liad established iiim- 
self at that place. 

Our subject remained witli the tirm in Detroit 
until it closed its doors and then returned to Ann 
Arbor, purchasing the stock of John Muelig, and 
continuing the business at the same stand for five 
years. At the expiration of that time he removed 
his stock to his present store, wliicli is joeated at 
No. 37, S. Main Street. Here he keeps a full and 
well-selected stock of lurniture of the lati'st and 
most artistic designs. Ilis store room is 22.k120 
feet in dimensions, reaching from street to alley, 
and is three stories in heiglit, all of wjiich room he 
uses to it< fullest capacity in his business. 

Mr. Dieterle is genial and popular, and iiis pat- 
ronage is among the best people of this poition of 
the coiuitry. He was married in IMKO to .Miss 
Christina Keck, of Manchester, a niece of John 
Keck, with whom lie had been so long in business. 
She was born in AVashtenaw County, and her par- 
ents were formerly from Germany. The home is 
briglitened bj' the presence of two attractive chil- 
dren, a daugliter and son. who are named resitec- 
tivelv Kinnia nnd \\'illi.iin. Wliilc in .Maneliester. 



Mr. Dieterle served one term as Alderman, and has 

occupied the same official position, representing 
tlie First Ward in this city, ih^ ran as a candidate 
for County Clerk and vv.as defeated by a very 
small majority. 'I'lieir plea.sant residence is located 
at No. .38, Fourth Avenue, and it is ns attractive 
ill the surroundings as it is neat :ind comfortable 
in its interior ai'ininjcmi'iits. 



il/, ^ FXHV PAUL. .Vinong the most valued 

I ))' '^'"' l"'oi>i''i''nt farmers of Fittsfield Town- 
/^y^ shi|), we name with pleasure the successful 
(,^i agriculturist just mentioned. He is a na- 
tive oC Washtenaw County, his birth taking place 
ill Sriii Township, June 3, 18l(t. His parents were 
.lacob ;nid Mary (Zender) Paul, both natives of 
Wurteinberg, Oermany. His father w.as by occu- 
pation a weaver but followed farming most of his 
life coming to this country in 1X28 and locating 
ill the State of New Jersey, where he remained for 
a jieriod of two years before coming to the then 
Territory of Michigan. When he came to Detroit 
in 1831) he found no means of conveyance in this 
county except "shanks ponies," and he therefore 
walked hither prosiiecting and back to Detroit, fol- 
lowing Indian trails through the woods. He took 
up his place from the (iovern men t locating on sec- 
tion 22. Scio Township. 

The educational advantages of our subject were 
exceedingly limited, as his father claimed his time 
whenever there was work for him to do upon the 
farm and lie also found it necessary to work for 
others in order to earn money to purchase his books. 
Neither did he have teachers who were sufficiently 
learned to teach such advanced studies as grammar 
and geography. I'pon reaching his majority he 
began working for his father for wages and was 
soon able to buy the home farm which he did in 
1862. Here he lived until 186() when he sold out 
his property and removed to Ann Arbor, where he 
spent twelve years and was engaged in various 
lines of industry, cnrrving on a lime kiln, selling 
sj'oods for mei'chants iniil assisting in liuililiiiii' the 



638 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL ALBUM. 



factory of the Michioran Furniture Company, of 
whicli he wa.s then tlie proprietor. In 1877 he 
piirfha.sed tlie place where lie now re:-ifles and re- 
moved hi.< family onto it. 

The mai-riaoe with our subject with ^liss Cath- 
erine Koch, of Led! Township, took place May 29, 
1«62, and tliis union has lieeu blessed by the birth 
of tliree children. Alfred (;.. b()rn :March 24. IHr>7; 
Kmelia, August lo, 1870, and Augustus. .Tune 7, 
1874. The daughter is now married and makes 
her home in Ann Arbor, and the olde.st son has 
charge of the farm. The parents of our sul)ject 
have passed to the other world, the mother dying 
in 1862 and tlie father in 187.5. The political 
principles of our sul)ject bring him into alliance 
witli the Democratic party and he h.as lield tlie 
office of .Supervisor of his township, and for the 
p.ist thirteen years has been the able Director of 
Schools for his district. Both he and his wife are 
active and useful members of the German Lutheran 
Church and in every department of life they have 
made themselves felt as helpers in every good work. 



I@'^@l^i^^ 



()L. ELMP:R W. BOWEX. There is not a 
more truly popular citizen of Ypsilanti than 
the genial warm-hearted man and honored 
old .-soldier whose name we now give. He is the 
Colonel in command of the First Jlichigan State 
trooi)s and is also the Mail Agent on the AVabasli 
Railroad lietw^een Detroit and Peru. His father. 
Daniel W. Bowen, was born in Cheshire, Mass., in 
1810, and the grandfather Henry wa-s also a native 
of the old Bay State and became an early .settler 
near Cooperstown, Otsego County, N. Y., where he 
carried on a farm. The family is of Welsh extrac- 
tion and has been in this country for generations. 
The father of our suliject was also a Xew York 
farmer who in 18i54 came to Michigan and located 
near Adrian, in Lenawee County, where he had 
two farms. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Sarah K. Richardson, was born near Cherry Valley, 
t)t*ego County, X. Y.. and was of .Scotch-Irish de- 
scent. They both ]iassed away while living at Ad- 



rian, the mother dying in 1869 and the father 
surviving until 1877. All but two of their thirteen 
children grew to maturity, and many of them have 
established homes of their own. 

The brothers and sisters of our subject .'ire as 
follows: Calvin, who resides in Cedar Kapids. 
Iowa; Delos.s. of the law and real-estate firm of 
Bowen iVr Fininger; Charles, who w.is a member of 
the Fourth ^lichigan during the w.ar and is now a 
farmer near Toledo, Ohio; Lucinda, Mrs. R. C. 
Carter, of Blissfield, Midi.; Frances, Mi's. Regei-. 
near Toledo, Ohio; Emma, who was Mrs. Ingraham 
and died in 1888 in Toledo; Jane, Mrs. Ingraham. 
of Tecumseh; David, who is a music dealer .and 
lives at .l.ackson; .lohn, who died in 1876, at Ypsi- 
lanti; Horace, who carries on a broom factory at 
Manchester; Alta, who died in 1862. 

Elmer Bowen had his birth April 8, 1846, in 
Otsego County, X. Y., and was eight years of age 
when he came to this State. He remembers vividly 
the journey by canal to Buffalo, by steamer across 
the Lake and on the cars to Adrian. Upon arriving 
here he began assisting his father upon the farm 
and attending the district school but early learned 
the avocations of war, as he enlisted at the .age of 
sixteen in December, 1862, in Companj- B, Xinth 
^lichigan Cavalry and was mustered in at Cold- 
water. 

During the first year when this regiment was in 
the South it was engaged in sixty different encoun- 
ters and skirmishes and during the whole time of 
service took part in over one hundred engagements. 
( )ur young soldier .saw the smoke of liattle and 
encountered the hard.ships of the march in Ken- 
tucky. Tennessee, (ieorgia and both the Carolin.as. 
He w-as in the (ieorgia campaign and the March to 
the Sea, and after Lee's surrender remained in 
Xorth Carolina on guard duty until July 21, 1865, 
being mustered out at Lexington, X. C, and 
thence coining home. He received his honorable 
discharge and the balance of his pay August 9, 
1865. 

The last engagement in which Col. Bowen took 
part was at Raleigh, X. C.. on the 12th of April, 
and his horse w.as there shot from under him fall- 
ing upon his right limb and keeping him down 
until the heat of the cu casement was over and 



t 



POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



639 



tliis in all probability saved his life. At the time 
he had been sent by the Major of his regiment to 
fall in a company and was out in an open space 
near which the rebels were concealed in ambush. 
They took aim at him and killed his horse and his 
first impulse was to get away, but as his horse held 
him down they thought him dead and he was not 
further assailed. After they had passed on he was 
able to get away and he afterward met one of these 
rebel sharpshooters who told him of their mistaken 
idea in regard to him. 

The young man 's promotion in the army was along 
the usual lines and the direct result of his devotion 
and bravery. He was made a C'orporal in Coving- 
ton, Ky., in 1863, a Sergeant in 1864, First Ser- 
geant in 1865 and after the Raleigh fight was rec- 
ommended to the position of Second Lieutenant 
but the close of the war prevented further advance 
in the volunteer service. Through all his dangers 
his skin was never broken by a bidlet although 
many passed close to him. 

The young veteran remained at home until 
1868 when he went to Detroit and engaged in the 
manufacture of brooms, which industry he trans- 
ferred to Ypsilanti three years later, and in 1877 
started in this line indei)endently for himself, en- 
tering the firm of C. M. Harris d' C'o., which was a 
vigorous and prosperous company employing from 
twenty to tweuty-five men. Here he continued for 
one year and then for a year was with H. D. Wells 
it Co., after which he bought out that company and 
managed the business alone until his retirement in 
1877. In 1888 he received from Don M. Dickin- 
son, Postmaster-( reneral of the United States, an 
apjiointment as mail agent to run on the fast mail 
between Chicago and Cleveland on the Lakeshore 
line, and afterward on the same line between Vpsi- 
lanti and Hillsdale, anil later he was reaiipointed 
by Postmaster-Genend Wanamaker, and was after- 
ward placed on the run between D3troitand Peru. 



It was in Chicago in 1870 that our subject was 
united in marriage to Miss Nellie L. Dawes, a daugh- 
ter of Hiram Dawes and a native of Adrian. Both 
the father and grandfather, John Dawes, were earty 
settlers in Adrian, and the father was a merchant 
both in that city and at Sturgis. Her mother 
Maiy Davis was born in New York and was the 
daughter of early settlers in this vicinity. The 
mother died in Adrian in 1889, and of her ten 
children Mrs. Bowen is the youngest. The chil- 
dren of our subject are Edith H., Courtney M., and 
Mabelle G. The son is an engineer in Tecumseh 
and to all of the children were given the best ))0s- 
sible advantages for an education, and they are 
graduates of the Normal School. 

The military service through which our subject 
passed in his early days, gave him a love for this 
kind of life and he determined to enlist in the 
Michigan State troops and in 1872 joined the Yp- 
silanti Light Guards of which he is a charter mem- 
ber. His promotion in this body is as follows: 
Sergeant, in 1873; First Sergeant, in 1875; Second 
Lieutenant, in 1877; First Lieutenant in 1878; 
Captain, in 1879; Major, in 1883, with commission 
from Gov. Alger, and his commission as Lieutenant- 
Colonel in 1887, and as Colonel in 1888 was given 
him by Gov. Luce. He is the only man in the State 
who has started as a private and worked up in the 
State troops to a Colonelcy. 

Col. Bowen is a member of the Grand Army of 
the Republic, being Past Commander of Carpenter 
Post No. 180, and his wife is a charter member of 
tiie Women's Relief Corps of the same Post. His 
political views bring him into sympathy with the 
Democratic party. In 1886 his wife was Alternate 
at the Women's Relief Corps Convention at San 
Francisco. She was also delegate to the National 
Encampment of the Women's Relief Corps at Bos- 
ton in 1890. 



BI0GI^p^l7l(i;p]j. 



S-®!<i!IBi>'$S"£= 



Adams, John *23 

Adanis, John Q 30 

Alger, Russell A 173 

Allison, Andrew 600 

Allen, JamesC 191 

Allen, J. M 212 

Alley, Mrs. E. T 408 

Andrews, F. C 458 

Angell, James B 621 

Antcliff, John .* 574 

Aprill, William 539 

Arrabruster, John 439 

Arnold, W. H 426 

Arthur, Chester A 99 



Babbitt, Hon. J. Willard 299 

Babcock, James L liiS 

Bach, James R 407 

Bach, Philip 633 

Bagley, John J I.i7 

Baldwin, Henry P 133 

Baldwin, H.T 444 

Baldwin, T. W (06 

Ball , Harris 449 

Ballard, S.P 205 

Barlow, John P 378 

Barnes, L. A 348 

Barry, John S 113 

Bassett, H. W 197 

Batwell,Col E .119 

Baumgardner, John 3S0 

Beach, Capt. W. P 161 

Beakes.S W 634 

Heal, J. E 379 

Begole, Josiah W 169 

Benhaiu, James 324 

Benhani.Milo 302 

Benton, Willis 396 

Bilbie, Richard a35 



Bingham, Kinsley S 137 

Bird,Johne 588 

Birkle, Jacob 125 

Bisbce, Isaac 515 

Blair, Austin 145 

Blakeslee, John W 617 

Blodgett, Worster 616 

Boutell, t'apl. H. S 473 

Bowen, Col. E. W 63S 

Bowen. J . W 339 

Bradley, Benjamin 323 

Braun, Charles 348 

Braun, John M ,. ... 192 

Breakey, W. F.,M. 1) 4.";5 

Breining, Jacob .567 

Breining, Martin ntii 

Briggs, Homer 535 

Brock, W. K 207 

Brown, D. B 255 

Buchanan, James 75 

Bullard, Charles A 4.56 

Bunion, John 528 

Burtless, William 5.54 

Butts, N. C; 434 



Cainp. A. B 3ll7 

Camp, Ira 516 

Campbell, Robert 124 

Campbell, William 198 

Carey, A 134 

Carpenter, Horace 103 

Carpenter, P. W. : 289 

Carpenter, W. S fill 

Carrow, F., M. D 211 

Chalmers, John C 366 

Chandler, Charles E 435 

Chandler, Susan C 601 

Chidister, J. M 286 

Childs, Hon. A 226 

Childs.Hon. James W 193 

Childs, Josiah 545 

Clark, E. A 370 

Clark , Orin 315 

Clark, Hon. Orman 471 



Clement*, J. P 578 

Cleveland, S. Grover 103 

Coe, Henry 193 

Coe. Henry T 608 

Colhns, A. C W 

Collins, S. A 476 

Colby, I. T 300 

Conklin, A., M. D 580 

Conklin.N. L 361 

Considine, Rev. W. P 415 

Cook, E. P 395 

Cooley, Prof. M. E 2.58 

Cooley , Hon. Thomas M 235 

Cooper, E. S 536 

Corey, Hon. J. D 43" 

Cornwell, Harvey, 1.53 

Costello, John 391 

Covert, N. B 315 

Cowan, John W 479 

Cramer, Densmore 590 

Cranson, E 419 

Crapo, Henry H 149 

Crittenden, N. E 629 

Crittenden, S 328 

Croswcll, Charles M 16! 



Dnrand, S. A 

Dwjer, Charles. 



Dansingburg, William 220 

Darling, A-sa M 3.4 

Davenport, A 302 

Dean, Col. H. S 415 

De Bever, Rev. William 571 

De Forest , A . G 333 

De Fries, G. A 543 

Dell, W. W 531 

Depue, Benjamin 261 

I>c Puy, Edward 239 

Deubel, William 316 

Deubel, William H 206 

Dickei-son, Peter 570 

Dietcrle, W. G 636 

Doane, Joseph 450 

Downer. E. P '.lo 

Duffy, Edward 219 



Easton, Oscar ~,Ki 

Eberbach,E. E 611 

EberbachjO 377 

Edwards, Davis 31 7 

Eisemann, Fred :j54 

Elliott & Shutts 2611 

Everett, Jay .3.53 



Farrell,T. J ,5(1:1 

Felch, Alpheus 117 

Feldkamp, John G 612 

Ferguson, A. P 417 

Fillmore, Millanl 67 

Finnegan, John 125 

Fletcher, F. J 355 

Fletcher, William 208 

Foerster, L. Z iSi 

Follmor, J .548 

Ford, C.L.,M. D 215 

Ford, E. B 275 

Ford, Edwin W 418 

Forsyth , James M 194 

Freeman, A 307 

Freeman, F.J 463 

Freer, Alva 2,52 



Gale, A. J 189 

Gale, John C 486 

Gallup, Rev. H. M 246 

Galpin, Philo 458 

Garfield, James A 95 



INDEX. 



Gates, R.B.,M.D 385 

Gay, Mrs. Clarissa 417 

fJcorge, Austin 258 

(;ibson, J. J --8 

Olover, Hon. HP 630 

( iliiups, K 370 

(iodfrey. T). L ICl 

HoUlrifk, Rev. L. P 199 

tiorman, Hon. James S 305 

(irant, Ulysses S 87 

Craves, A. K olli 

(Iravcs, F. A 333 

(iregory, H. C -■•25 

(Iregory.J. L 570 

(ireen, Kichaixi 5-1 

(irecne, D. B -■^- 

(ireen, Thomas 485 

Ureenly , William L 121 

(iriffen, I). C 191 

Grossman , C. W 330 

Gruner, L -'*' 



Haarer.John :!« 

Hadley.S. 3G0 

Hagen, John 305 

Hamilton, Ale-t W 101 

Hammond, George N 5i;7 

Hammond, H. A 3U 

Handy, Isaac C 331 

Hardingliaus, H 153 

Harkins, J. K 307 

Harriman, Hon. W. D lU 

Harrison , Benjamin 107 

Harrison, William Henr.v .... 51 

Hayes, Rutherford B 01 

Heimeidinger, George iV2 

Heinzmann, John 506 

Herz, William 572 

Hicks, Walter S MS 

Hinckley, F 308 

Hiscock, Charles E ...410 

Hiseock, Daniel 2'I5 

Hiscock, E.D 418 

Holmes, A. H 209 

Hoover, Orrin T 251 

Horner, F. W 306 

Howard, M. J 027 

Hiiehl, JohnO 511 

Hughes, A.T 5.52 

Hutzel, Hermann 146 

Hntzel,T. F ISI 



Ives, Hon. Samuel U 270 

Irwin, John E 146 



Jackson, Andrew 
Jacobs, J. T 



Jarvls, William 347 

JclTci'son, Thoicits 27 

Jerome, David H 165 

Johnson, Andrew 83 



Ka|.i>. C. F.,.M. D 400 

Kapp, John, M. D 1:I5 

Kearney, Thomas D 505 

Kearney, T. P 380 

Keech, Thomas J 472 

Kelloss,4.C 413 

Kelly, Benjamin D 106 

Kelly, Rev. E. D 472 

Kempf , C. H., Sr 292 

Kenny, John 248 

Key , Prof. George F 540 

Kinnc, A. F.,M. D 267 

Kinne, Hon. E.D 584 

Kirchgessuer, William 326 

Kirk, John P -522 

Kilsou, A. J 373 

Knapp, Chauncey ,367 

Knapp, John J 619 

Knight, Rufus .582 

Knowlton, Hon. J. C 327 

Koebbe, J. B 615 

Koebbe. William 427 



Lamn,E 288 

Lane, Hon. Thomas D . ..420 

Latson, William C 232 

Laubengayer, J 140 

Laubengayer, Jacob 410 

Laugbridge, G. W .597 

Lay, William H 443 

Leetch, Hon. A. J 579 

Lemen, John H., M. D 301 

Lincoln , Abraham 7fl 

Lindsey, .Tames B 6;15 

Liesemer, Henr.v 423 

Lisemer, Louis J 413 

Lodholz, William F 359 

Lord , James B 22!) 

Low, Mrs. Rachel 551 

Lowden, Hon. J. L 279 

Lowden, William H 447 

Lucas, John 625 

Luce, Cyrus Gr.ay 177 

Luick, E 485 

Luiek,0 4W 



M 



Madisou, James o I 

Manly, William T 393 



Manning, J. H 483 

Manning, William E S89 

Marquardt, W. L 420 

Martin, B.M 592 

Martin, Christian 454 

Martin, J.H 400 

Martin, 0. M 467 

Mason, E.P \...399 

Mason, Stephen T W5 

Mast, George 291 

Matthews, Henr.v 325 

McClelland, Robert 129 

McCormick, Charles .527 

MeCreery, William 282 

McDougall, George r.-is 

McLaren , James .532 

McMahon, James 392 

McMahon, J. A 152 

Mead, Alvin 288 

Mead, c. W., M. D 271 

Messner, John 355 

Miller, William J 231 

Miiizey, A. B 218 

Mitchell, George H 54 1 

Monroe, James 35 

Moore, Eli W 316 

Moore, John R 501 

Moriarty, F. C 6,36 

Mount , Joseph L 390 

Muehlig, Andrew .304 

Mummery, -A. J 436 

Murray, William C 599 



Nancrede, Charles B 2.57 

Naylor, William B 192 

Nelson, George, M. D 368 

Newhall,E. B '«2 

Newkirk, Sylvester 603 

Newton, Jeremiah 205 

Nickels, John H 470 

Nieoll, John 303 

Nordman, E. A 626 

Notten, W'illiam :S<i 



Osboni, William B. 
Owcn.T. C 



Packard, 1. D 

Packard, John F. 
Page, George C. . . 
Palmer, Luther. . 
Palmer, D. W ..., 



Parker, F. L 488 

Parker, Russel 5.3:! 

Par.shall, J.J 297 

Parsons. Andrew 13-* 

Paul, Henry 637 

Peck, Wait 509 

Peekens, George S 405 

Perkins, Sebrah 409 

Phelps, A. E 237 

Phelps, H. M «I2 

Pierce, Daniel 606 

Pierce, Franklin 7! 

Piatt, H.D .....482 

Polhemus, J. A 375 

Polk, James K .59 

Pratt, Col. <). E 525 

Price, Squire 2s« 



yueal, Reuben. 
(Juirk,D. L 



Ilansoui, Epaphroilitus 12.-| 

Raymond. Cyrus .357 

Renwick, George 61(5 

Richards, Henry 404 

Rinsey , David 0O7 

Robison, Hon. John J 202 

Rogei-s, S. H 311 

Rohde, Louis 57.s 

Russell, S. P 210 

Russell, William A 311 



Saiulei-son , Edwin 60-; 

Sanlord, L 470 

S,^ngree,C. C 28"! 

Savery. Isaac P 541 

Savery.I.S .!,5!l 

Schafter, M. B 533 

Schmid, Frederick :!29 

Schmid, N 3IW 

Schneider, G 437 

Sehnirring, J. George 218 

Schiih, J. F 590 

Schumacher, B. F 481 

Seai-s, S. F »to 

Sears, Thomas S 228 

Sceger, Matthew 373 

Seery, Michael 515 

Servis, Andrew 217 

Sessions, J. Q. A 451 

Shankland, T. E Jim; 

Shaw, Everett 278 



INDEX. 



Sbaw, Isaac C 486 

Sipley, Fred 3flfl 

Slatfoi-a, .loliii . . . . : 313 

Smallcy, John 480 

Sniitb, Hiaiifs S •!»! 

Smith. I). N :«t 

Smith, E. U .....Ml 

Smith, J. E .5!)1 

Smith, John B 40" 

Smitli..John I. 618 

Smith, W.B Ml 

Smithe, Geor^'e C 512 

Snyder, K. M 35; 

Spenrer, Burke 475 

Sperry.J. H 298 

Starkweather, .lohn 11)5 

Steere, J. B .t83 

Stein, .John M .iS" 

•Stevens, Maj. VVilliani C 502 

Stitt, William J 428 

SloBict, F .'WS 

Slone, Charles ... .■ .'78 

Sttmipenhusen, Henry 277 

.Sullivan, J. T 336 

Sumner, A. D .594 

Sunderland, Kev. J. T 4!l« 

Sutherland , N 3<>5 

Sweet, John M 5S) 

Sweet, W. H 296 

.Sweetland, V. H 28" 

Sweet land, Lester H 626 

Swift , Mrs. Einilv M .5:!l) 



Talladay, Thomas E -.Mil 

Taylor, C. Ci 211 

Taylor. E. G 201 

Taylor, Zachary 63 

Terns, John 262 

Thompson, H. 1' lilS 

Thompson, William 312 

Thorn, L.E.C S«4 

Tieknor, Mi-s. L. .1 290 

Towner, T. L 6^ 

Towusend, Ransom 210 

Treadwell,C 245 

Tread well , Ed ward -(13 

Tuoniy,C.L *)? 

Turnbull, George W .577 

Tyler, John .Vi 



Valentine, Krederiek 36;! 

Van Atta, James 260 

Van Buren, Martin 47 

Van Cleve, Uapt. A. .\ 312 



Vandawarker, F 436 

Vaughan, V. C, M. D 226 

Venning, Rev. J 495 

Vogel, J. F 50t 

Voorhees, B. S :i6'l 



w 



Wahr, George 350 

Wade, John H ., i42 

Wagner, John 275 

Waite, Hon. B. W 543 

Walsh, Richard, Sr 581 

Walters, R. F 285 

Warner. Dennis 523 

Warner, F 529 

Warren, A. J 2(2 

AVashington, George 19 

Waterbury , Ira 276 

Watling, F 282 

Wat.son, J. C .587 

Weinmann, L. C 391 

Weleli, Hiram 429 

«"ells,H. I) 601 

W'heeler, C. G 309 

Wheeler, George S .'523 



Wheeler, J. C 553 

Wheelock. R. T 609 

Whipple, Levi 250 

White, Eber 3I8 

wniite, Henry K 610 

Whitlark, Joseph 295 

Wiard, George D :!3» 

Williams, B.B 256 

Winans, Edwin B 181 

Winchell, A s.'is 

Wines, Charles H 200 

W'inslow, Simon 531 

W'ise, John W .519 

Wisiier, Moses m 

Wood, A. A 591 

Wood, James P .514 

W ooilbridge, William 109 

Woodruff, Hon. Charles .. .547 

Woodruir, Jtarcus T 631 

W'orden, K. S 4;H 

VVordcu, W. W .57-2 



Yeekley, W. I... 
Yost, Hon. C. L 
Vouug, J. M 







.\dams, John ; 22 

Adams, John Q .■» 

Alger, Russell A 172 

Allen, James C 190 

Arthur, Chester A 98 

Bagley, John J 1.56 

Baldwin, Henry P 1.52 

Barry, John S 1 12 

Beach, W.P 4(i<P 

Begole, Josiah \V Itj8 

liingham, Kinsley S 136 

Blair, Austm 144 

Bradley. Benjamin .322 

Brown, Daniel B 251 

Buchanan, James 74 

I urpenter, H 402 

t'leveland, S. Grover 102 

Cooley, Hon. T. M 234 



Cowan. J. W 47s 

Crapo, Henry H 148 

Croswel 1 , Charles M 160 

DeForest, A G :«« 

Everett, Jay :i.52 

Fetch, Alpheus 116 

Fillmore, Millanl <:6 

Ford.Dr.C.L 214 

Garfield, J. A 94 

Gates, Dr. R. B SS2 

Gates, Mrs. R. B 383 

Goldrick, L. P 498 

Grant, U.S 86 

Green. Richard 518 

Green, Mrs. Ricbani 519 

Greenly , William 120 

Gregory, C. S 234 

Hagen, John... 304 



Harrison, Benjanun 106 

Harrison, W. H 30 

Haye.s,R.B !K) 

Hisco<-k, Daniel 264 

Jackson, Andrew 42 

Jeffei-son, Thomas 26 

Jerome, David H 164 

Johnson , Andrew 82 

Kitson. A. J 372 

Lay, William U 442 

Liesemer. Henry 422 

Lincoln , Abraham 78 

Lisemer, L. J 112 

Luce. Cyrus Gray 176 

Ma<lison, James 30 

Mason, Stephen T lot 

McClelland, Robert 128 

Monroe, James 34 



Parsons, Andrew 132 

Peck, Wait 508 

Pierce, Franklin 70 

Polk, J. K 58 

Ransom, Epaphrodius 12t 

Snyder, R. M 5.56 

Taylor, Zachary 62 

Treadn-ell, Charle-s 214 

Treadwell, Edward 342 

Tyler, John 51 

Valentine, F 362 

Van Buren, Martin 46 

Wagner, John 274 

Walters, R.J" 284 

Washington, George l,"* 

Whitlark. Joseph 294 

Winans, Edwin B 180 

Wisner, Moses 140 

Worden, E. S 4.'}2 

Woodbridge, William 108 




iQWa. 



Antclilt, John .575 Cooper, E. S 

.VpriU, William 537 Feldkamp, John G.. 

Hreining, Martin 565 | Gale, John C 



..537 I Hammond, G.N 565 

.613 Heimerdinger, George 203 

.487 I Koebbe, J. B 613 



Shaw.I.C .487 

Stunner, Mrs. M. M 695 

Wood, A. A 59B 



AR 1B:4 



